How feasible is the claim that the US has helped escalate the Georgia conflict to help McCain in the election?

Question

I just read an article from the BBC website surrounding Putin's claims about US involvement in the Georgia conflict:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7586605.stm

Putin's basically trying to suggest that by publicizing and trying to escalate the pressure arizing in Georgia, the US government is trying to bring international conflict issues to the forefront of most people's minds.

The logic behind this is that despite how successful the two Presidential Candidates have been on each of the issues, when it comes to international conflict, McCain is seen as the more combat-experienced and more likely to take a hardline with things like foreign conflict.

By purposefully fuelling the flames on the Georgia Conflict, you would be making people believe that 'international conflict' is a more current and serious threat than it otherwise would be without their intervention.

i.e. The republican government is trying to help the republican candidate by unfairly pushing, inflating and manipulating public opinion towards an issue on which they know he is strong, and his opponent, is oft criticised.

Whilst I admittedly support Obama in the elections, I'd like to think that such shrewd tactics aren't being used in the '08 elections. That would surely be grossly unfair.

How likely is Putin's claim?

What other motive would Putin have for making this accusation?

Answer 1

This sounds like another liberal conspiracy theory to me. I don't think it's very feasible at all.

Answer 2

Maybe his motive is to take the spotlight off of himself!

Bush was too busy planning terrorist attacks like 9/11 to be involved with the Georgia crisis.  Maybe the KKK did it.

Answer 3

America has and will continue to help Georgia, they're one of our allies so its kinda how it goes....There is no denying that claim.  Georgia is American trained, equipped and aided.

Now, as for this "increased tension" being used to help the GOP....lets just say that while I wouldn't be shocked or surprised, I have more faith in McCain than that.  I sincerely hope he wouldn't stoop to such a low level....he is a military man and knows what war is all about.  I don't think he would mess with this sort of thing unnecessarily.

What other motives?  To gain international support of course....same thing we'd be doing.

Answer 4

there appears to be proof

Answer 5

I think it's a bunch of BS and Putin is merely trying to fuel the fire.  He knows that we're having a lot of fighting between the two parties and is lowly enough to add to it.

Answer 6

It is ludicrous and Putin's motive is to stir things up in the USA.  He knows the media is pro-Obama and by him casting dispersions on McCain fuels the media's feeding frenzy to tarnish McCain.  If you had to pick an opponent, wouldn't you pick the one with no experience.  That's the Putin motive, to try to help Obama get into the White House.  

Answer 7

Putin is the source?

LOL

next question

Answer 8

There would be no claim if Russia had not tried to help rebels break away from Georgia. It is like when the South seceded from the north, Americans had a right to fight to return territory to the country.same as the georgians.By getting involved Russia had to be rebuffed for invading another democracy. We need democratic governments to stand with us and make the world safe. All our enemies are ruled by dictators and with governments forced on their populations.

Answer 9

Condi was over there and Cheney's top assistants the day before this started.  So why were they there?

I think that they all believe that McCain needs some international situation to happen so he can present himself as stronger than Obama.  His campaign is desperate because he doesn't have any positive ideas or solutions to offer.

Even though you'd "like to think" (in the interests of fairness) that the Republicans would not do something like this, they definitely would.  They stole the 2000 election by manipulating votes and then they did the same thing in Ohio in 2004.  Every time we think they have reached an all-time low in their behavior, they manage to go even lower.

So this would not surprise me at all, even though I am not a conspiracy theorist.  In fact, nothing the Republicans do would surprise me.

Having said that, remember that George Bush said he looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul.  I believe Putin looked into George's eyes and realized there was no one home, so he could do whatever he d**n well pleased.

Answer 10

I would not be inclined to believe a word that Russia says.  If you recall, they were repeated saying that they weren't invading Georgia even as TV cameras showed Russian forces in the middle Georgia.  Then while Russia said that their forces were backing away and leaving, the Russian forces were still in and heading deeper into Georgia.

That's not to say it isn't possible. I'd just have a very difficult time believing a statement by Putin.  It's much more likely that Putin is trying to insert more chaos into the US election and try to help get Obama elected since he knows Obama would be a pushover.

Answer 11

Putin is one nasty power politician who makes Cheney look like someone in his dotage. If you read the international news on line you will see that there is much bluster, counter accusations,claims, threats etc.  Perhaps he believes it since ( wait until you see the October surprise this year now that Biden  is VP--the Israelis  neocons are totally freaking out) it is certainly possible that the US administration was planning something after they sponsored Georgia for NATO membership since they were building up the Georgian military.  I think Saakashvili, arrogantly jumped the gun, however, and gave the Russians the pretext to nip Pax Americana on its doorstep.

Another motive for Putin saying it, is that it makes him look "right" and

principled.  

Grossly unfair?  Iran-Contra deal got Reagan elected ( before the manipulation was discovered)  Please let us not be naive about the ruthlessness of the people currently running the US.  These are the folks that have elevated double talk to an art form ( water boarding is

what now ? "stress persuasion"?)  Rich countries can afford the velvet glove for the iron fist.

Answer 12

OK, I'll preface this by saying that I'm a democrat.  

I think that's pretty ridiculous.  As machiavellian as this administration has been, however, I'm sure that conspiracy theorists will be all over it.

I think this is far more about Putin severely underestimating his support on this move, and trying to find a way to save face on it while backing off.  China's refusing to support Russia in this action was a huge blow for them.