Bush’s right-hand man ranks the Republican field

This speech by Dan Bartlett, who was formerly a key Bush adviser, is well worth watching. Most of it is devoted to ranking the Republican contenders to succeed his old boss–of which more in a second, but before that he talks about Vladimir Putin for a few minutes. Although the tone is light-hearted as he tells tales about how Putin used to mock Bush’s dog, you sense the real concern that many of those close to the White House have about Putin and what he might try and pull. The news that Putin intends to step down as president only to become prime minister is unlikely to assuage these concerns.

Bartlett’s analysis of the Republican field is far franker than what you’d usually get on camera from a political insider. His key point is that 2008 is “going to be the season of the pragmatic Republican voter” as Republicans know that they’re in very bad shape politically.