“Vladimir Putin respects two things: strength and consistency,” The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, tweeted. Heritage Foundation: Obama ‘emboldened’ Russia to meddle

The Heritage Foundation on Friday blamed President Barack Obama’s failed leadership for emboldening Russia to meddle in the presidential election and charged that the Obama administration’s sanctions “are too little, too late.”

“Vladimir Putin respects two things: strength and consistency,” the conservative think tank, which has emerged as a major player in President-elect Donald Trump’s transition, tweeted Friday morning. “In the last eight years, President Obama has shown neither.”


The Obama administration on Thursday announced sanctions against nine entities and individuals, including two Russian intelligence services; the closure of two Russian compounds; and the expulsion of 35 Russian intelligence operatives for its cyber intrusions during the presidential election.

In a 64-second video accompanying the tweet, the foundation cited Obama’s statement announcing America’s retaliation for Russian “cyber operations aimed at the U.S. election.”

With dramatic music played throughout, the video says, “Unfortunately, Obama’s actions are too little, too late.”

“He’s a bad leader and squandered his opportunity,” the video says of the outgoing president. “This is why Russia was emboldened to act as it did. It’s time to deal with Putin from a position of strength.