Whatever you may think of Putin or Russia, they are an important geopolitical player and it is appropriate for the U.S. President to offer his counterpart congratulations on his electoral victory. It's called being diplomatic in the real world.
Trump has been right all along that; if we can manage it, it is to our best interest to have better relations with Russia. Not to kiss their arses, but to try to move relations back onto a constructive path. That is common sense.
I roll my eyes at my liberal friends and their feigned horror over Russia. The same stupid liberals who mocked Romney when he identified Russia as our principle adversary. Liberals have spent decades being soft as cupcakes on Russia; I can't recall an authentic Democrat hawk since Scoop Jackson. Now all these ginned-up demands to confront Russia, to insult Russia, to impose ricky-tick sanctions on Russia, to wave the bloody shirt when no Dem of any salt ever raised a peep about Russia until Hillary Clinton - a true boob among boobs - lost an election.
Color me a complete cynic on this. Mr. President, don't let the bastards grind you down.
