Impact of Russian attack on Georgia on American Presidential election

[CARLHAYDEN]

It will take a number of days for average Americans to become really aware of the naked agresion of Russian forces in Georgia, and even more to comprehend that this is NOT an isolated action, but rather the opening act on a drama authored by Vlad Putin to reconstitute a Russian empire, with himself as emperor (in fact, if not in name).

So, how will the next American President react to the continuing agression?

Well, its pretty clear that Obama will wring his hands and punish the American people, but do nothing to stop much less deter the Russians from their course of agression.

Its not clear how effectual that a President McCain would be, but, it is clear that he would act to try to stop and deter Russian agression.

This highlights Obama's inadequacy as commander in chief.

If the conflict expands, its likely to doom Obama's Presidential quest unless he takes a page out of John F. Kennedy's book (re: 1960).

[Хahar 🤔]

None.

I love how this somehow hurts Obama despite his having nothing at all to do with it.

[Torie]

It could have an impact if it becomes an international crisis, but I doubt that will happen.

[YRABNNRM]

It will probably help McCain's experience argument a bit, as the Bhutto assassination did in the primaries.

It still won't be enough to change things dramatically...probably...

[Sam Spade]

It could have an impact if it becomes an international crisis, but I doubt that will happen.

^^^

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It could have an impact if it becomes an international crisis, but I doubt that will happen.

^^^

[J. J.]

A minor plus for McCain.

[Reaganfan]

A minor plus for McCain.

[Stranger in a strange land]

A minor plus for McCain.

very minor

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

No effect.

[Hash]

People don't care at all. The average American doesn't know what a "South Ossetia" and "Abkhazia" is.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Unless Saakashvili's miscalculation causes the flow of oil from Azerbaijan to be interrupted for a lengthy period of time, this will have no effect come November.  Even then, I'm not certain who it would help since this will have happened under Bush's watch.  For either candidate to benefit at all, he'll have to say what he would have done that Bush didn't do, and convince people that it would have made a difference.  McCain will have the easier time convincing people, but the harder time coming up with something.

[Lunar]

I think polls and logic show that whenever the public is thinking about international foreign policy, McCain does better.  Whatever increase in interest there is about someplace besides America, whether that be Iraq or Georgia, that interest comes at the expense of interest in the economy.  So, the impact of this Russian attack depends on how much of the news cycle is dominated by this conflict.

[The Mikado]

I'm going to say something incredibly obvious, but something that nonetheless must be said:

It depends on how the crisis plays out.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So, the impact of this Russian attack depends on how much of the news cycle is dominated by this conflict.

And the answer to that is, not much.

[Flying Dog]

So, the impact of this Russian attack depends on how much of the news cycle is dominated by this conflict.

And the answer to that is, not much.

Sadly... although I have been drawn to the Olympics more than I thought I would be.

[Eraserhead]

Most Americans don't even know this is happening. It's partially their own faults for not really caring about real news, and partially the media's fault for not even attempting to provide it.

[Dan the Roman]

I think minimal. No one paid much attention, and even if they did, while McCain may generally be trusted more on foreign policy, his behavior during this whole event cast serious doubt on his judgment. He has advocated beligerant behavior, given no idea of how any of his demands might be accomplished, and then assailed Obama for being less rash and engaging in less opportunistic posturing than he was.

Obama simply echoed the Bush Administration line. Its ironic that I am thankful right now that George Bush and not John McCain is President.

[specific_name]

This will have to escalate a lot for it matter. If it does, it will help McCain. To me it looks like a disaster waiting to happen, I'm sure that Obama nor McCain will be able to do anything about it. Beyond asserting US interests, we should not be involved.

[Boris]

the opening act on a drama authored by Vlad Putin to reconstitute a Russian empire, with himself as emperor (in fact, if not in name).

he's gonna have a pretty tough time doing that given that NATO seems to be surrounding him to the west

[CARLHAYDEN]

the opening act on a drama authored by Vlad Putin to reconstitute a Russian empire, with himself as emperor (in fact, if not in name).

he's gonna have a pretty tough time doing that given that NATO seems to be surrounding him to the west

Not really.

First, Russia will absorb Byelorussia.  No problem from NATO.

Then, they'll take back the 'stans.  Again, no real opposition from NATO.

Then, it will turn out that the baltic republics will somehow "provoke" the Russians, which will force the Russians to attack and aborb the baltic republics.

Question is, will a President Obama have the cojones to oppose Russia seeking to recover Alaska?

[Hash]

Most Americans don't even know this is happening. It's partially their own faults for not really caring about real news, and partially the media's fault for not even attempting to provide it.

I'm sure if one American or "Westerner" died in crossfire, they'd be on it 24/7 using their snappy "War in Russia" titles.

[Josh/Devilman88]

I think it is to early to say. This is turn into something bigger and fast.

[Mr. Morden]

Most Americans don't care at all about international affairs.  They only care about events that directly affect the USA (e.g., the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not "world affairs", because American lives are involved).

[Хahar 🤔]

the opening act on a drama authored by Vlad Putin to reconstitute a Russian empire, with himself as emperor (in fact, if not in name).

he's gonna have a pretty tough time doing that given that NATO seems to be surrounding him to the west

Not really.

First, Russia will absorb Byelorussia.  No problem from NATO.

Then, they'll take back the 'stans.  Again, no real opposition from NATO.

Then, it will turn out that the baltic republics will somehow "provoke" the Russians, which will force the Russians to attack and aborb the baltic republics.

Question is, will a President Obama have the cojones to oppose Russia seeking to recover Alaska?

Don't tell me you believe this. Belarus seems reasonable, as do (to a far lesser extent) Ukraine and Kazakhstan. But the rest of Central Asia is a very long shot. The Baltic states hate Russia, and it'd mean another Korea. And what the fuсk are you talking about with Alaska?