WASHINGTON — President Obama got caught on a live microphone telling the president of Russia that he’ll have more “space” to cut a deal on missile defense after the November elections.
After a 90-minute meeting in Seoul with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, Obama could be heard telling his counterpart: “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”
As Obama put his hand atop the hand of the Russian leader’s, Medvedev gave a response that could have come from a John le Carré novel, “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir” — a reference to Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, who is returning to power after Russia’s recent elections.