NY Times White House Correspondent Peter Baker Meets Herndon High Students
Peter Baker discussed his books "Kremlin Rising-Vladimir Putin's Russia" and "Days of Fire- Bush and Cheney in the White House" with Honors Government students. Olivia thanked Mr. Baker for an interesting morning. This meeting took place on November 21, 2014.
Henderson-What do you think Putin would think of your book Kremlin Rising? ANSWER- Well I don't think it's an anti-Putin book but I know all the books we sent to Russia were not delivered.
Lilian (left)-
LeClare (left)- To what extent do you think Putin wants to recreate the old Soviet Union? ANSWER- Not exactly create the old USSR but he does have the Soviet mindset though not communist. He wants to influence and dominate the countries that were in the Soviet Union. He thinks the U.S. is meddling in Ukraine.
Colleen (right) - Do you think Putin made a good point when he said after the West (America, Europe) told him to reach an agreement with Chechens that quote “Why don’t you meet Osama Bin Laden at the White House”? ANSWER- That was Putin giving what is called a "false equivalent". By that I mean Chechnya was part of Russia, he was dealing with his own people. We were not. With Chechnya Russia carpet-bombed that area and then bought off the locals basically saying "we'll let you live how you want just don't screw with us."
Jessica (center)- Is beer still considered a "soft drink" in Russia? ANSWER- Yes, it's still a soft drink. They tried to get people to drink beer instead of vodka but they just ended up drinking both.
David (center)-
In your book Days of Fire, President Bush wanted to push the immigration issue
in his second term. Why was his view of immigration so different than his fellow
Republicans in the House?
Elizabeth- From
the time you first thought about writing a book about Bush and Cheney, how long
was it until you were holding that book?
Luis- You wrote that prior to 9/11 Putin warned Bush about an attack and after 9/11 he cancelled military exercises so they would not distract the U.S. Did Putin like Bush? Does he like Americans? ANSWER- They had a moment of friendship after 9/11. As far as working together after 9/11 Putin figuratively said the U.S. and Russia would "meet at the Elbe" meaning the river in Germany where American and Russian troops met in WW II. Putin did get along with Bush although Bush regretted his "I've seen the sense of his soul" comment. I was in Russia on 9/11 and Russians had a lot of sympathy toward Americans. People were coming up to me and offering condolences, showing pictures of themselves in front of the World Trade Center.
Prince-
We read in Kremlin Rising about the
“All You Can Drink Vodka Marathon Contests” in Russia. Did you ever participate
in one of those?
Andrea- You wrote
that Obama was taking a page from President Bush's playbook by doing what he
wants regardless of election results. Do you see those two as having a
similar approach to the presidency?
Anthony- You have covered the White House. Have you ever wanted to cover Congress or the Supreme Court? ANSWER- I would like to interview people in the Supreme Court more than Congress since the Supreme Court is mysterious unlike Congress when you can just walk up to a congressman or senator and interview them.
Yousif- You quoted First Lady Laura Bush as saying "It's such a lonely job" referring her husband’s presidency. Are you able to see that in President Obama? Does he seem lonely or stressed? ANSWER- It's lonely for all of them. It's a tough existence. You can't go for a walk without sharpshooters. President Clinton called the White House "the Crown Jewel of the Federal Prison system". Everything you do is scrutinized and watched. There is a lot of pressure on the president. But we shouldn't feel sorry for him.
Mercy- Do you think it was a good move for the Russian people when Putin told them they could be proud of the Soviet Union? ANSWER- Russia has a different outlook now but they are proud to have been part of the Soviet Union. They had great accomplishments in science, literature, the arts, sports. Some people, like Putin saw the end of the USSR as a catastrophe. 25% of Russians said they would vote for Stalin for president. Their pride was wounded.
Ashley
(left)-
German leader Angela Merkel told President Obama that Putin "was not in touch
with reality." Do you think Putin is in any way mentally ill?
Amasyah- Has Russia improved their HIV situation since you wrote Kremlin Rising and do teenagers still mix their blood with heroin…and why did they do that? ANSWER- Russia has a demographic crisis. They smoke and drink too much. Their population is dying too soon. Putin thinks about the birth rate too much. The average life-span for a Russian man is 59. Part of that is HIV and the drug trade through Central Asia.
Saul- In Kremlin Rising you wrote the 2004 Russian Presidential campaign was pointless. In what ways was that pointless? ANSWER- Putin won 99% of the vote. It was controlled by the state. He would have won anyway but they still stuffed ballot boxes. It was not a fair election.
Jake
(2nd left)- In
Kremlin Rising you wrote about Russia’s “brand identity.”
What would you say their brand identity is now?
Jamie- We're going to be at the White House on January 8th. Do you want to hang out with us? ANSWER- Sure, if it works with my schedule. You're going to see the East Room and that is really cool!