Two hours and a bottle of whiskey

NYTimes reporters interviewed several Russians after they voted on Sunday’s elections. Here are a few of the quotes:

“I voted for United Russia because for the last few years quality of life has improved and the country’s economy has stabilized. Without political stability, there can be no economic stability. In the presidential elections, I will probably vote for Putin: I approve of his course.”
— Dmitry Sablin

“For Putin, specifically for Putin. Everyone trusts him. We see the results of his work. I’d need two hours and a bottle of whiskey to explain all that he’s done.”
— Nadezhda Aleksandrovna

“I voted for Putin because Russia has become a strong country. I lived through that nightmare of the Yeltsin era. It’s like night and day.”
— Sergei Troshin

Voted for Mr. Putin, “for our beloved,” because “he is smart and just.” “Things are not all good, but he’s trying. Pensions are paid, and I had a free eye surgery.”
— Antonina Kotova, a pensioner

For United Russia. “I am tired of instability. I do not fear a one-party system because there are enough old people to vote for Communists. And Russia has already crossed a certain line, so we are not going to have a new father of the people in this country.”
— Larisa, a doctor

“Actually, I voted for Putin, I like him and just wanted to do something nice for him.”
— Lyudmila Akekseyevna, pensioner

Wife: “My husband voted for the Communist Party and I for United Russia. My husband has a technical education, and was swayed by the Nobel Laureates, like Zhores Alfyorov, who are in the Communist Party.”
Husband: “And in the other parties, there is only junk.”
Wife: “Don’t interrupt! I have thought long about this.”
Husband: “Yes, you’re only sorry for poor Putin.”
Wife: “Of course, there are many in United Russia whom I don’t like, so if Putin wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have voted for the party.”
— Mikhail Ivanovich and his wife, who would not give her name, both pensioners

No Diebold voting machines?

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