Lessons In Popularity From Russia's Putin

[Purveyor]

President Putin could write a handbook on "popularity for dummies," as his ratings continue to rise. In Moscow, Fiona Clark looks at how he's using textbook moves to win the hearts and minds of the Russian public.

Canada's new prime minister, Justin Trudeau might be the sexiest politician alive at the moment, but if you're asking the mirror on the wall who's the most popular, on home ground at least, President Putin would be the clear winner.

According to a poll by Russia's government owned by publically funded VTsIOM research center, Putin's popularity is now almost 90 percent. Yes, you read that right - almost NINETY percent.

"Vladimir Putin's approval rating has set a new record at 89.9 percent," a press release claimed, exceeding the previous June 2015 maximum of 89.1 percent.

Since the annexation of Crimea his approval ratings have risen steadily from about 80 percent to today's high. It's baffling in a country where the economy is tanking, inflation is growing by 12 percent and real wages are buying less and less every day. But clearly the art of distraction never fails. In a textbook patriotism-building move the president has managed to find an enemy on home ground and joined a war in a foreign country, Syria, to defeat it.

more...

http://www.dw.com/en/lessons-in-popularity-from-russias-putin/a-18802209

[Turbineguy]

1. And if the GOP has its way

he'll gain from the continued decline of the U.S.

[Scootaloo]

2. The key is mutual empathy, to show your people your human side!

Attaboy, Putin!

[malthaussen]

3. I think the key may be owning the research center...

... naw, I'm just too cynical, I know.

-- Mal

[KoKo]

4. He gives intelligent, well thought out speeches. It is compeling.

to hear a "World Leader" actually address History and speak from that viewpoint in a way that "connects dots" and brings a different perspective from the Cartoon Narrative that our US Media forces upon us.

Just saying. I like to hear more viewpoints than what MSNBC/CNN give us.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Well it's easy to be popular when he controls the media, crushes dissent

and can ban opposition parties from elections...

Having his true believer useful idiots on the left doesn't hurt, either...

[Purveyor]

6. ..

[geek tragedy]

7. People who work for Putin say Putin really popular.

That is a real shockeroo.