Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev Says He Supports President Obama

During a speech to Advanced Placement students at Von Steuben High School, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev made a strong statement of approval for President Obama. “Of course, there are many people who don’t like what President Obama is doing. But, my opinion of him is very [favorable]. I will support him,” Gorbachev said, according to a Russian translator, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

During his address, Gorbachev recalled an anecdote about a talk he gave to 12,000 university students prior to the 2008 election. At the event, there were a couple of students who were “particularly persistent” on election day in how Gorbachev should advise them to vote.

“When they asked this question, I said, ‘I don’t want to teach you because, often, America teaches others how they should live.’ If I give you advice, I said, that would be a risk,’” Gorbachev remembered.

“But nevertheless, I did say, ‘I think you Americans need your own Perestroika.’ And 12,000 people rose from their seats and gave me an ovation. And I think that the elections that followed brought a new spirit to America. Of course, there are many people who don’t like what President Obama is doing. But, my opinion of him is very [favorable]. I will support him. However, there are still vested interests who want another Cold War, another arms race, weapons trade, interventions. They will not succeed.”

(h/t Washington Free Beacon)

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!