Trump praises Putin in spite of crackdown on dissent

While most Republican presidential contenders have made known their antagonism to the Russian president-including one who called him a “gangster” and a “thug”-Trump has instead touted his ability to improve Washington-Moscow relations by working with Putin, CNN said”.

On Friday, Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski asked Trump about the comments, given that Russia’s government isn’t exactly a beacon of democratic values. “It’s not up to us to judge his virtue, that is up to United States voters, but he is the absolute leader of the presidential race”.

He considers the handling of US-Russian relations by President Obama effective in terms of US interests while standing up for basic global standards violated by the activities of Russia along its border with Ukraine. How can we not welcome that? “Of course we welcome it”.

Trump also said he thinks America’s relationship with Russian Federation would be “good” if we were President.

Trump quickly responded: “I think our country does plenty of killing, also”.

Romney’s aide Stuart Stevens said: “Donald Trump is like that stray dog anybody can pet and it will follow you home”.

“I think it was despicable if that took place, but I haven’t seen any evidence that he killed anybody in terms of reporters”, Trump said. “There’s a lot of stupidity going on in the world right now, Joe”. A lot of killing and a lot of stupidity.

Trump, whom Putin recently called “bright and talented”, eventually condemned killing journalists and political opposition when a confused Scarborough asked a third time.

Trump’s m.o., of course, will be to point to the follow-up, in which he said he “absolutely” condemns the murders of journalists.

“Putin sincerely believes that Russia is surrounded by enemies and the job of a president is to be scary enough to scare them off”, Gessen said, adding that Putin embodies a “long Russian tradition” of viewing the outside world as a collection of antagonists. Or like Putin, Trump might destroy a city and then rename the main street in that city after himself. He’s a strong leader. He’s actually got a popularity within his country. “They respect him as a leader”, he said. “And I don’t think you’d be having the kind of problems that you’re having right now”. Maybe he does the polls.

Trump’s opponents in the GOP field have slammed the billionaire for his warm response to Putin.