Spinning (An Election) Yarn

Are they kidding, framing Putin's puppet-elect Medvedev in a photo-op with an old woman spinning yarn?  The only yarn being spun here is the idea that this wet-behind-the-ears politburo suit is a legitimate successor to the presidency. 

Looking at Medvedev, I can't help but think of 2000, imagining this guy as Putin's version of our own George W.

(5:15 PST -- edited for coherence)

(image: Dmitry Astakhov - AFP/Getty Images.  February 26, 2006.  Ufa.  Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev speaks with a woman spinning yarn during a visit to a home for the elderly and disabled.  Via WAPO Day in Photos)

Comments

[jtfromBC]

Seems Russia has a Dick ~ of the dark side ~ Cheney as well.

Putin's People - Russia
Profile for Dmitri Medvedev, Putin's chosen successor.

The result of next month's Russian elections may be a forgone conclusion but a real power struggle is taking place. It's occurring not on the campaign trail but behind closed Kremlin doors.
In temperatures of -23°c, Mikhail Kasyanov, Russia's only independent Presidential candidate, is trying to rally support. Banned from holding meetings indoors, he's forced to deliver his speech on the street, where he's an easy target for Putin's fans. Putin's presidency may be coming to an end but his power and influence are not. His anointed successor, Dmitry Medvedev, is likely to appoint him Prime Minister. But by endorsing Medvedev, Putin has alienated the KGB and FSB stalwarts who backed his rise to power. Led by Igor Sechin, Deputy Chief of Staff, this faction is fighting back. "Mr Sechin is the only really dangerous enemy", states analyst Stanislav Belkovsky. "Medvedev will be doing his best to get rid of him". But it won't be an easy job. Sechin is seen as the second most powerful man in Russia. He has no loyalty to Medvedev, making him a potent political foe. But the majority of Russians are happy to back Putin's man. As one woman states; "Putin did a lot of good things. If Medvedev follows his way, he will be good too".
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lh5rUHe6tEQ 16:15 min

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/MedvedevD.jpg/225px-MedvedevD.jpg

-Dimity's almost smiling, relaxed after his daily yoga or 2 mile swim perhaps. As a chess player I'm sure he's not contemplating playing Gary Kasparov anytime soon.