By NICK GASS, Politico
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised President Barack Obama as a “decent man” on Thursday for admitting the worst mistake of his presidency involved a national security-related decision.
“Firstly, it once again confirms that the current U.S. president is a decent man, because to say such a thing is not easy. And that’s very good that my colleague possesses the courage to make such statements,” Putin said, according to reports of his annual call-in show where he traditionally sits for up to four hours answering Russian citizens’ questions.Putin appeared to be referring to remarks Obama made in an interview aired Sunday with Fox News’ Chris Wallace, when he referenced his “worst mistake” of his administration as “failing to plan for the day after” the fall of Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011.
According to NBC News’ account, Putin remarked of Obama’s impending departure from the White House: “We all leave sometime. It is pointless to regret, you need to continue working.”
“I must say [of] that the U.S. president — you can give different assessment, it’s up to the American citizens to assess, but he’s working, working hard,” Putin said. “And I’m sure it will continue until the last moment of staying on the job — he is very responsible.”
When asked why Russia does not have more political parties, according to NBC, Putin instead took a shot at the American system.
“Take the States. First, Bush Sr. had the power, then Bush Jr. — the family in any case,” he said. “[Bill] Clinton served two terms, now his wife is a contender — the family may get to stay in power again.”
Invoking a Russian folk expression, he added, “As we say, husband and wife are the same devil.”
