McCain Takes Tough Stance on Russia

Aug. 11, 2008— -- Campaigning back in the fall of 2007, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., would routinely insert a quip about Russian President Vladimir Putin into his stump speech: "When I look into Vladimir Putin's eyes, I see three letters: a K, a G and a B."

The line never failed to elicit laughter from his audience. But some people may have wondered why McCain was going out of his way to single out Russia's president for his disapproval. It seemed an odd divergence from McCain's main campaign theme, his vigorous support for the surge in Iraq. And, at that time, the faltering economy and emerging housing crisis were becoming the main concerns of the public. Why the rebuke of the Russian president out of the blue?

Today, McCain's sharp criticism of Putin, and other comments casting suspicions on Russia's commitment to democracy and role in world affairs, seem prophetic. The McCain campaign wants to make sure voters know that. His advisers believe that his long-standing criticism of Putin and his quick, heated denunciation of the Russia military offensives in South Ossetia and Georgia will highlight what they contend are McCain's superior knowledge and experience in international affairs and national security issues.

"It turns out McCain was right," said senior advisor Charlie Black.

The McCain campaign has refrained from saying out loud that Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., lacks the same level of experience in the regional conflict. That would run the risk of appearing to politically exploit the situation, and would revive unpleasant recollections of the comment by Black that the McCain campaign might reap political benefits from a terrorist attack. So, the argument that the Russian-Georgian conflict is evidence of McCain's better judgment and qualifications is mostly being left to surrogates.

"I think this is another example, during these uncertain times, where we need experienced leadership," Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told ABC News' Jake Tapper on "This Week."

"We need someone like Sen. McCain, who will take a stronger view, a more experienced view, when it comes to international security and protecting America's interest. You know, Sen. Obama condemned the violence, and that's a good thing. But we need to go beyond condemning the violence and actually offering solutions."