Topic: Putin declared candidacy for 3rd term as president

[Mooning Freddy]

I was called up today by my father who said to me: "Hey, come quick, wanna see a political circus?"
"Sure" I said. 
He switched the TV to Russia's channel 1, (most popular channel in Russia, which is also quite government-controlled).
What we saw on the screen was a huge conference of Russia's leading party "United Russia", where Russian President Medvedev declared he won't be running for a second term in 2012, instead giving his support to his rival and current prime minister (ex-president) Vladimir Putin.
With many applause, Putin went up to the stage and expressed his will to continue leading Russia towards a better future, decrease poverty and improve the economy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/world/europe/medvedev-says-putin-will-seek-russian-presidency-in-2012.html

This is undoubtedly another leap forward for Russian "democracy". If someone thought the strongest man in Russia would just walk away into the shadows after 8 years in office (Russians would say, 12 years, since they view Medvedev as Putin's puppet) they are apparently wrong.

The move brings an end to years of uncertainty, inside and outside Russia, about whether Mr. Putin intended to loosen his grip on power. Neither leader offered any reason for the decision, but Mr. Putin said the deal had been made years ago. If that is true, Mr. Medvedev’s presidency, and the tension that accompanied its end, now looks like an orchestrated political drama that drew in much of the world.

“They decided between themselves who will hold which job,” he said. “It’s like a swap in chess — my bishop for your rook.”

[Gunlord]

That crazy putin...~_~

[A-Yty]

In Soviet Russia President votes you!

[Highwind Dragoon]

I totally saw this coming way back in 2008. 

[A-Yty]

I totally saw this coming way back in 2008. 

You and everyone else. Hell, Medvedev himself has been such a small, near-invisible personality that the whole thing has been kind of like an extramarital affair everyone knows of, but doesn't say anything about.

[Flame]

Huh? whatwasat? Putin WASNT president all this time? I mean, I doint folow russian affairs, but media only ever seems to care about him, so for all I know, I assumed he was still in charge.

I found it funny when Bush Jr. mentioned he could see Putin's soul in his eyes.

Uh huh. Former KGB, and Bush saw his soul. He saw- what Putin WANTED him to see lol. what you can see in his eyes is "KGBKGBKGBKGB"

[X]

I just hope Putin doesn't pull another stunt like he did the last time he was in office; Specifically where he sent out a Russian carrying a Russian flag then planting it on the North American plate calming it to be Russian territory. Pfft! Whattever Putin.