Certainly not because Russian Federal troops have been racking up huge successes in Chechnya. True, the two towns were recaptured, but casualties on the Russian side were heavy, and the military commanders had to admit it, which could only damage Putin s image. Yet he continues to score points with the electorate. The Chechnya factor, strong though it is, has never been the sole explanation for Putin s breakthrough on the Russian political scene. Putin s crackdown on terrorism in this Caucasian republic was just the first signal to his countrymen that Russia will now have a strong leader.
Russian man has enough troubles as it is.
First, he restored the faith of Russians in themselves and in their country not unlike what Ronald Reagan did for Americans in the early 1980s. Second, there is the age and health factor. Fourth, Putin s no-nonsense style appeals to average Russians. St. Petersburg Mayor Anatoly Sobchak. His rapid and direct responses to reporters questions have made it hard for them to catch him off guard.