American lawmakers compare Obama to Putin

U.S. lawmakers are complaining that the United States is beginning to look like Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's Russia under the leadership of President Barack Obama, the Associated Press reports.

Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House of Representatives, has likened Obama's plans for the U.S. auto industry to Putin's policies.

The House Republican whip, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, tells The Associated Press that Obama is micromanaging the auto industry to win points with Democratic allies and labor unions.

"It's almost like looking at Putin's Russia," Cantor said last week. "You want to reward your political friends at the expense of the certainty of law?"

Conservatives like Cantor eagerly compare such government "meddling" and Obama's governing style to leaders half a world away.

"Like Obama, Putin has a fawning media that is intimidated by an uncertain marketplace and looking for any help to stay afloat," John Feehery, a conservative consultant and veteran House Republican spokesman, wrote last week on his blog.