Robert Amsterdam

What's not funny is that this is actually the Kremlin's propaganda line and many ignorant Russians take it quite seriously.

So, for their benefit, let's clarify a few things.

First of all, Cheney will serve only two terms in office. He will be totally out of government in 2009.

Second, Bush was elected after a real contest against a party that had previously held power. This hasn't happened once in Russia's entire history, much less during the Putin years.

Third, the vice presidency isn't a formal institution of power -- the Russian prime ministry is.