While the U.S. campaign intensifies, Russia's presidential race is becoming increasingly farcical. There is little doubt that Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, will win the March ballot. But the government is taking no chances, eliminating any real competition and making a mockery of Russian democracy.
Mr. Putin's soaring popularity gives anyone with his imprimatur a virtual lock on the March vote. Any remaining questions about Mr. Medvedev's thinking were erased when he said he would name Mr. Putin to be prime minister if he was elected, ensuring continuity even in name when the new administration took office.
Apparently that was not enough for the powers that be in Moscow. The weekend before last, the Election Commission disqualified former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov from the race, charging that tens of thousands of the signatures on his nominating petitions were forged. Mr. Kasyanov, a fierce critic of Mr. Putin, said he was denied a slot on the ballot because he stood a chance of winning.