The Russia Card

"Trump understands something that most professional negotiators understand - the deal. He would also understand how to offer the 'Mario Puzo' deal to Putin - that would be the deal Putin can't refuse."

There are times I wish I were President and could deal with Vladimir Putin. I have thought for the longest time the biggest problem we have with the Russians is how to deal with Putin. George Bush (43), said he looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul. Maybe he did, or maybe that was just wishful thinking. I do know this however - not Bush, certainly not Obama, and not absolutely not Hillary Clinton know how to deal with Putin. But Donald Trump might.

Trump understands something that most professional negotiators do understand - the deal. He would also understand how to offer the "Mario Puzo" deal to Putin - that would be the deal Putin can't refuse. Why? Because the bottom line is this. Even though Russia has healed quite a bit economically since the debacle of the Soviet Union, they still need us much more than we need them.

Putin can't stand Hillary. He knows she is nothing but Obama with a skirt on. She will lecture Putin. Tell him what he can or should not do. All that does is enrage Putin. It allows him to advance in more adventures like Crimea. And when he feels lectured by a contemporary (that be us), poked in the eye (so to speak), he just wants to poke back.

It all goes back to 2011. Putin was running for re-election. There became some unexpected street protesters against Putin. It looked like the country was turning against him.  Then Putin, the former KGB agent, did some digging. He ascertained it was United States behind all this nonsense. In particular, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Putin still won, but did not forget the issue. He has had a burr under his saddle ever since, and that burr will not go away should Hillary get the big job. The thought of Putin hacking the DNC to get even is totally with the realm of reality.

Trump on the other hand, has no such history with Putin. They have traded some compliments, but that is as far as it goes. Trump knows he can work with Putin and I believe that Putin knows he can work with Trump. Putin does not have a "trust issue" like he has with Clinton right now.

Is Putin trying to pay Clinton back for 2011? Probably. Is Trump involved? Probably not. Will our relations with Russia suck if Hillary becomes President? Absolutely. Could those lousy relations lead to a war with Russia? I really, really hope not. Elections have consequences, and if we get Clinton, he might have a huge one.