Newt Gingrich : U.S. politicians reacted with surprise to the views of Vladimir Putin . He says Putin is understandable as a former KGB officer and Russian nationalist . It has a longer history than we do . Politicians in both parties have mistakenly viewed Putin as someone whom they can trust , he says . Putin : Putin is a strong authoritarian leader , maybe the strongest Russian leader since Stalin .
Newt Gingrich : U.S. politicians reacted with surprise to the views of Vladimir Putin . He says Putin is understandable as a former KGB officer and Russian nationalist . Politicians in both parties have mistakenly viewed Putin as someone whom they can trust , he says . Putin : Putin is a strong authoritarian leader , maybe the strongest Russian leader since Stalin .