Would O. buy a used car from this man?

Putin to CNN yesterday:

SOCHI, Russia (CNN) — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of its presidential election candidates.

. . . .  Putin said the U.S. had encouraged Georgia to attack the autonomous region of South Ossetia.

Putin said his defense officials had told him it was done to benefit a presidential candidate . . . . although he presented no evidence to back it up.  [Still checking, he said.]

“U.S. citizens were indeed in the area in conflict,” Putin said. “They were acting in implementing those orders doing as they were ordered, and the only one who can give such orders is their leader.” 

Not David Axelrod, we presume.  Who?

He said

the resulting “hurrah-patriotism” would “unify the nation around certain political forces,” adding: “I’m surprised that what I’m telling you surprises you. It’s all on the surface, actually.”

Obama said last night:

You can’t truly stand up for Georgia when you’ve strained our oldest alliances. If John McCain wants to follow George Bush with more tough talk and bad strategy, that is his choice – but it is not the change we need.  . . . .

But I will also renew the tough, direct diplomacy that can prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and curb Russian aggression.

Tough guy?  Or just confused?  Confusing either way.