The President was not angry at the Russians, just at the FBI for embarrassing him. He showed no sign of indignation, outrage, or protection for his homeland. Instead, his press secretary, Robert Gibbs rushed to microphone to assure “I do not believe this will affect the reset of our relationship with Russia.”
Good. A foreign power tries to infiltrate our country, steal secrets and compromise high-ranking officials…but not to worry…this will not affect our relationship with them.
President Vladimir Putin angrily rejected the FBI arrests saying that U.S. police had gone “out of control.” He and Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, accused the U.S. of trying to sabotage the “reset” of Russian/ American relations. Angry words…how dare you Americans arrest Russian spies on your soil and worse… make an arrest shortly after presidential hamburgers were shared?
Philip Gordon, top US State Department official for Europe said, “we are moving towards a more trusting relationship; we’re beyond the Cold War…I don’t think anyone was hugely shocked to know that some vestiges of old attempts to use intelligence are still there.” Translated? Espionage against the United States while feigning friendship? Ho- Hum.
Meanwhile the Justice Department weighed in responding to Russian outrage with the explanation “these arrests had to be carried out Sunday for several critical law enforcement and operational reasons.” Good. I’m glad we explained it to our “friends” the Russians so they won’t be mad at us any more and we can continue our new relationship, sharing our nuclear secrets and disarming our defenses.
“We spit in your eye and you call it Holy Water.” The Old Left outfoxes the New. How interesting.