Name: Anonymous 2013-09-15 19:37
I want Russians to look at this ‘nature’s miracle’ – TV host about McCain
After US Sen. John McCain vowed to submit an opinion piece to the Russian newspaper Pravda in response to an op-ed on Syria in the New York Times by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a famous Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov invited the staunch anti-Kremlin critic to his talk show. The Voice of Russia has asked Mr. Solovyov what he is planning to discuss with Sen. McCain in an exclusive interview.
Voice of Russia: We all know how serious Mr. McCain is about his stance on Syria. What do you expect him to tell you in this interview? Are there any answers you’d like to know?
Solovyov: There are so many questions in store for Senator McCain. Sen. McCain is known for his hatred of this country, as well as for his acid remarks. He has a sense of humor. A very specific one, I must admit, although you can hardly expect any love for Russia from him, considering his Vietnam imprisonment. He has developed a sort of post-Soviet Vietnam syndrome.
Nevertheless, McCain is a very remarkable species of the US establishment, as the Soviet propaganda used to call it. There’s no denying it. We also welcome his decision to share his take on Russia’s Syria stance. It’s quite amusing that he picked the [Communist-backed] Pravda newspaper to get his message across as it is very indicative of what period in the past he is still holding on to.
On top of all, I wanted to give him a chance of meeting the Russian audience to let them have a look at this miracle of nature and help him shape his own viewpoint with some pointed questions. We want to find out how clearly he sees what is going on in the world and maybe even change his stand both on Russia and the world at large.
Voice of Russia: Do you think he may change his perception of a strike against Syria as a good outcome for the US?
Solovyov: It’s important to remember that McCain is a member of another political party. He is a Republican, not a Democrat. He once ran for US President as a Republican nominee and suffered a bruising defeat [from Barack Obama]. So it is hard for him to agree with whatever Mr. Obama may propose. If Obama says two and two equals four, McCain may start thinking it’s a trap and the answer is probably three or five.
That’s why this plan came as a twin blow to him. McCain cannot bring himself to accept either Putin’s initiative or Obama’s independent decision-making. It is all a bit complicated. Whether we will be able to soften up his stance on it remains to be seen. An interview is always like fencing. Let’s see where it takes us.
Voice of Russia: Vladimir, are you going to touch on US-Russian relations, particularly the Syrian conflict?
Solovyov: Probably. The main goal is to let Mr. McCain talk to Russia directly, to let him see there is no censorship. At least for him it will be an opportunity to address the nation live. But to do so, he must first come to Moscow and show what he’s made of. Then our people will think for themselves.
Solovyov is a popular Russian TV and radio journalist, and the host of the 'Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov' talk show
After US Sen. John McCain vowed to submit an opinion piece to the Russian newspaper Pravda in response to an op-ed on Syria in the New York Times by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a famous Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov invited the staunch anti-Kremlin critic to his talk show. The Voice of Russia has asked Mr. Solovyov what he is planning to discuss with Sen. McCain in an exclusive interview.
Voice of Russia: We all know how serious Mr. McCain is about his stance on Syria. What do you expect him to tell you in this interview? Are there any answers you’d like to know?
Solovyov: There are so many questions in store for Senator McCain. Sen. McCain is known for his hatred of this country, as well as for his acid remarks. He has a sense of humor. A very specific one, I must admit, although you can hardly expect any love for Russia from him, considering his Vietnam imprisonment. He has developed a sort of post-Soviet Vietnam syndrome.
Nevertheless, McCain is a very remarkable species of the US establishment, as the Soviet propaganda used to call it. There’s no denying it. We also welcome his decision to share his take on Russia’s Syria stance. It’s quite amusing that he picked the [Communist-backed] Pravda newspaper to get his message across as it is very indicative of what period in the past he is still holding on to.
On top of all, I wanted to give him a chance of meeting the Russian audience to let them have a look at this miracle of nature and help him shape his own viewpoint with some pointed questions. We want to find out how clearly he sees what is going on in the world and maybe even change his stand both on Russia and the world at large.
Voice of Russia: Do you think he may change his perception of a strike against Syria as a good outcome for the US?
Solovyov: It’s important to remember that McCain is a member of another political party. He is a Republican, not a Democrat. He once ran for US President as a Republican nominee and suffered a bruising defeat [from Barack Obama]. So it is hard for him to agree with whatever Mr. Obama may propose. If Obama says two and two equals four, McCain may start thinking it’s a trap and the answer is probably three or five.
That’s why this plan came as a twin blow to him. McCain cannot bring himself to accept either Putin’s initiative or Obama’s independent decision-making. It is all a bit complicated. Whether we will be able to soften up his stance on it remains to be seen. An interview is always like fencing. Let’s see where it takes us.
Voice of Russia: Vladimir, are you going to touch on US-Russian relations, particularly the Syrian conflict?
Solovyov: Probably. The main goal is to let Mr. McCain talk to Russia directly, to let him see there is no censorship. At least for him it will be an opportunity to address the nation live. But to do so, he must first come to Moscow and show what he’s made of. Then our people will think for themselves.
Solovyov is a popular Russian TV and radio journalist, and the host of the 'Sunday Evening with Vladimir Solovyov' talk show