Russia's Putin confirms bid for 2nd term - ( will Junior be happy ? )

[ConcernedCanuk]

. .

Russia's Putin confirms bid for 2nd term

Announcement comes during informal Q&A

"MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin confirmed today he will seek a second term, making the announcement during a televised dialogue with ordinary Russians on issues ranging from his new puppies to plans for the future of a country whose persistent problems were laid bare by questions from callers nationwide.

The live but carefully orchestrated question-and-answer session has become a December tradition for the president, who uses it to demonstrate that he is paying close attention to the concerns of the vast country outside the Kremlin walls. More than 1.5 million questions were received by phone and e-mail and from crowds gathered around microphones in cities across the country.

With less than three months to go before the March 14 presidential election, Putin still has not formally declared himself a candidate. But if there was any doubt about his intentions, it was dispelled when one woman asked him whether he would run again.

"My answer is affirmative," Putin said, unofficially launching his re-election campaign. The popular president is widely expected to win."

[mikehiggins]

1. Dubya won't be happy

unles Putin stops criticising the holy war in Iraq.

Apparently future President-for-life Putin didn't get the memo to the effect that no criticism of His Holiness the President was allowed.