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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
20

From Russia, No Obama Love

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(Newser) – Capitals across Europe have swooned for Barack Obama, but over two days in Moscow, the president got a reception more suited to a traveling salesman than a rock star. News coverage was sparse, crowds were nowhere to be seen, and even the students he addressed at an economics university came off unimpressed. "We don’t really understand why Obama is such a star," one graduate told the New York Times.

White House aides said they were surprised by the lack of attention to the visit: the Russian edition of Judge Judy took precedence over his speech, and even Michelle Obama failed to attract any press coverage. Some have mentioned race as a factor, but exhaustion with politics may have been the largest factor. "It is a jaded political culture that has had a very hard experience," said a Clinton speechwriter. "Some degree of cynicism about high-minded ideals is a natural outcome of that."

Barack Obama congratulates Oksana Sytnova, the top graduate at the National Economic School in Moscow. The president's speech was received coolly and wasn't screened on Russian television.
Barack Obama congratulates Oksana Sytnova, the top graduate at the National Economic School in Moscow. The president's speech was received coolly and wasn't screened on Russian television.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Barack Obama leaves the Manezh Exhibition Hall during the Parallel Business Summit in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Barack Obama leaves the Manezh Exhibition Hall during the Parallel Business Summit in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 7, 2009.   (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speak after attending a summit yesterday.
Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev speak after attending a summit yesterday.   (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Service)
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It’s a question of trust, how he behaves, that typical charisma, which in Russia is often parodied. Russians really are not accustomed to it. It is like he is trying to manipulate the public. - Kirill Zagorodnov, who attended Obama's speech at a Moscow university

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20 comments
VIEWING:
 
Retribution
Jul 8, 09 8:05 AM CDT
The Russians see Obama for what he, after all they have seen many of his "type" since 1917.... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-14
IN RESPONSE:
schmidtkoff
Jul 8, 09 9:13 AM CDT
his type? and that would be what? a man trying to be a uniter instead of a divider?
Vote up! Vote down!
+6
IN RESPONSE:
Lula
Jul 8, 09 9:20 AM CDT
His type????? He is a uniter, not the lying Bush/Cheney types. Retribution, give us all a break, as we have all had to put up with these two nuts for 8 years, and it sure seems good to have someone in office that can unite rather than a divider and someone who at least has brains.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
Retribution
Jul 8, 09 10:40 AM CDT
Lula, your easily impressed and have bought into the dog and pony show....
Vote up! Vote down!
-5
IN RESPONSE:
QueenAlli
Jul 8, 09 11:41 AM CDT
The Russians have a problem with his being Black.
Vote up! Vote down!
+4

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