A Russia United Cannot Be Divided?

Although it hasn't garnered much attention in the US, there's a parliamentary election tomorrow in Russia. Actually, from what I observed in Chelyabinsk on Thursday and Friday and in Moscow today, it's not attracting that much attention here either. Sure, billboards for Putin's United Russia party are a fairly frequent sight and the media is breathlessly covering the last minute political maneuvering and machinations, but the average Slava Six Pack on the street just doesn't seem all that interested.

This could be due to the belief that the outcome is already all but determined--a sweeping victory for United Russia--and the fact that the choices aren't all that palatable. The number two party behind Putin's United Russia is the Communists. As much as some Russians may not be comfortable with Putin's autocratic rule, they aren't clamoring for a return to the days of the glorious workers paradise either.

Here are a few election eve items that caught my eye from the English Moscow Times newspaper:

The Russian version of Jesse Ventura:

It was only a matter of time before someone asked Alexander Karelin for his autograph.

Karelin, a State Duma deputy and a champion wrestler with three Olympic gold medals, was facing an audience of several hundred residents of this small, hard-up farming town in southern Russia. Perhaps not surprisingly, they had been badgering him with questions about bread-and-butter issues such as low military pensions.

Then came the softball. The autograph-seeker's request brought chuckles from the audience but a stern reprimand from Karelin, who has the No. 2 spot on United Russia's ticket for the Stavropol region.

"I understand perfectly well that many of you, even military pensioners, are here because of my successes representing Russia in sports," Karelin said at the Tuesday event. "But the reason I am here, above all, is to represent United Russia."

They even bear a slight resemblance. At least from behind.

If you thought the You Tube debates were a travesty, consider the timing of these debates:

As of Nov. 2, parties on the ballot were provided with free airtime for campaign ads and debates, and could also dip into their campaign fund coffers to purchase television ads. This, the Central Elections Commission stated, would ensure equal access to all parties.

But only 1.5 percent of the television audience watched the debates, which were broadcast at 7 a.m. and after midnight, according to the latest study by TNS Gallup Media.

Hey, we gave you equal time. We just didn't say when that time would be.

Last but not least, a story on some unique get out the vote efforts:

Millions of people across the country are expected to cast their ballots at polling stations Sunday to decide the makeup of the next State Duma.

But for many who intend to vote, the urge for an intimate medical checkup or to look like a punk might be as important a motivating factor as civic duty.

City administrations and election officials are outfitting polling stations with various attractions to bring out the vote, including cheap food, coupon books, hair stylists and doctors.

Voters in Omsk will be able to visit a gynecologist or urologist at polling stations, while Kemerovo voters can get haircuts in the style of punks or prisoners, the Trud newspaper reported Wednesday.

Bend over, spread your legs, and cough. Okay good, now that you've voted, you can see the urologist.