OPINION:
Donald Trump’s pro-Putin perspective on Syria puts him at odds with his own running mate and most every other politician observing Russian tactics (“After testy VP debate, Trump rebuffs claim he ’loves’ Putin,” Web, Oct. 5). Does the Donald know something the rest of the Western world doesn’t? That seems doubtful, given that he told George Stephanopoulos that President Putin would not invade Ukraine — long after Russia had illegally seized the Crimean Peninsula.
Even so, Mr. Trump takes Mr. Putin at his word, evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. After all, the Donald has never let evidence sway his opinion. But there is a method to Mr. Trump’s madness. His praise for Mr. Putin is in fact an invitation for Russian intelligence to vote for him in the upcoming election. American citizens may need to show identification before voting, but Russian hackers need not worry about such barriers. This is what the Donald is banking on.
BUCK RUTLEDGE
Knoxville, Tenn.
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