The Day Bush Saw Putin’s Soul

August 12th, 2008, 12:03 PM EDT

It was their first meeting in June 2001.  At a press conference in Slovenia, the question was whether Russia could be trusted.

PRESIDENT BUSH: I will answer the question. I looked the man in the eye. I found him to be very straightforward and trustworthy. We had a very good dialogue. I was able to get a sense of his soul; a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country. And I appreciated so very much the frank dialogue.

Posted in Liberaland by Alan

Responses to this post...

  1. I finally figured this out.

    What Bush saw, actually, was nothing. That’s because Putin has no soul. Neither does Georgie.

    “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.”

    Posted by RC from Smithtown
    August 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

  2. I can’t imagine if a Democrat said, “I looked the man in the eye, I was able to get a sense of his soul”

    And called him “Pooty Poot”

    Posted by OldLefty
    August 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

  3. Yes, and when Bush mentioned this, Colin Powell replied: “Mr. President, I looked into President Putin’s eyes and I saw the KGB.”

    My assessment of Putin’s character has always been that he was a thug.

    Posted by Donna
    August 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

  4. Can Russia be trusted? I’m more concerned about whether or not this administration can be trusted ever again.

    Posted by TDro
    August 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

  5. Donna~ is that a real quote? it would be really interesting if it was.

    RC~ right on, man.

    Posted by Cheryl Carroll
    August 12th, 2008 at 2:56 pm

  6. Cheryl,

    Yep. Sure is. Let me go hunt up the source I pulled this from. I believe it was quoted in the WSJ, but I don’t know where it originated from.

    BRB with it.

    Posted by Donna
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

  7. Cheryl,

    Here you go. I’ve seen it elsewhere, but this is off the WSJ blog.

    http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/10/16/mccain-sees-something-in-putins-eyes/

    Posted by Donna
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm

  8. Hmm, it’s apparently single sourced by an attendee blogger. John Amato may be said blogger:

    http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/06/30/putins-soul/

    Posted by W F G
    August 12th, 2008 at 4:25 pm

  9. Alan, you need a submit a story thread. This one titled “How PETA will pay for the border fence”

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5937293.html

    Posted by LV Lives
    August 12th, 2008 at 5:11 pm

  10. Wow, thanks Donna!

    Posted by Cheryl Carroll
    August 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

  11. Alan, there is video of bush standing next to putin(in russia) bush was asked to comment on what he thinks of putin,and gw says “i think he has jesus in his heart” the look putin gives gw is priceless!! i cant find the video in my archives but i know it was the 1st or 2nd time gw met putin.

    possibly in c span archives,im still looking for it.

    8-)>

    Posted by Mr.sardonicus
    August 12th, 2008 at 8:08 pm