People need to be very careful here. The allure of strength in a leader is very powerful and can blind you. It's what got Hitler elected. It is what gets every tyrant elected. Not calling Putin a tyrant by any means, but people need to be wary just the same of being blinded to certain truths. Putin is ex kgb and has done some bad things in his past.

What you see in the Russian media is designed to give you that image of strength to appeal to you. You think Russian media is any different than ours? Obama radiates weakness like a supernova while Vlad just oozes strength and bad assery. It's by design to play on the American need for a powerful leader.

Don't be fooled.