Why Putin Would Prefer Trump

I'm not saying I believe the Russians affected the outcome of the 2016 election but if they did, why would they prefer Trump over Hillary Clinton? I can think of several reasons right off the top of my head. First, Trump would mean a strong America. One might be tempted to think a strong America is not in Russia's best interest but that would be a mistake. A weak America is actually a more dangerous America and a Clinton presidency would have certainly guaranteed a weaker America. A weak America invites challenges from provocateurs like Iran, North Korea, and ISIS. Additionally, perceived weakness on the part of the United States reduces our negotiating power which further increases the likelihood of conflict. Moreover, as an extension of the Obama Administration, a Clinton Administrative would have continued to fail to provide leadership on the world stage which would make it necessary for Russia to step in as it has had to do in Syria. Putin and the Russians know that a strong America makes everyone safer. There are other reasons why the Russians would prefer Trump over Hillary.

The second reason the Russians would have tried to influence our election in addition to insuring a stronger America providing real leadership in the world again is that Trump will be better for the economy. A strong American economy is essential to a healthy global economy. Obama and the Democrats have more than doubled our national debt, imposed anti-business regulations and legislation, and embarked on a wealth redistribution scheme that will sooner rather than later cripple our economy. Their zero sum game economic view sees America as the world robber baron rather than as a powerful economic engine driving a healthy global economy. Trump understands that America is the solution not the problem and unlike Hillary, he plans to work to fix the American economy rather than "manage its decline". A more healthy and vibrant US economy will lead to a better world economy by creating a "bigger pie" from which Russia stands to benefit. In addition to a stronger America with a stronger economy, there is one other reason Putin might have wanted Trump to win: it's better to deal with a pragmatist rather than an ideological zealot.

Hillary Clinton is a far left ideolog who, even when faced with mountains of evidence contrary to that ideology, is unable to adjust her positions to comport with a dynamic world. This leads to bad decisions like prematurely pulling out of Iraq, overthrowing Muammar Gaddafi and the Iranian Nuclear Deal. Trump on the other hand appears to be pragmatic and willing to adjust his positions and courses of action in order to take advantage of changing situations. That is the mark of a successful businessman who makes good decisions. Bad American decisions are bad for Russia too.

It now seems pretty clear that the Russians did do some hacking during the 2016 election. What isn't clear is if those hacks affected the results in Trump's favor. Apparently what they did do was leak inside information from the DNC and the Clinton campaign that exposed their dirty tricks and their real opinion of the American voters. If that had an effect on the election, it was because it exposed the truth. What is also clear is the truth benefits everyone including both America and Russia. How can that be a bad thing?