The American officials appear to be taken aback by Putin's tough tone, but they shouldn't have been too surprised.

NPR: Rice, Gates Appeal to Moscow for Missile Defense

But he might still be taken aback by the extent to which politics has become a full contact sport in this country.

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If top members of his administration are found to have leaked Ms Plame's name as retaliation against her husband, or to have condoned the leak, even his staunch supporters could be taken aback by such an ethical breach.

ECONOMIST: Elusive WMD and an embarrassing leak | The