The Return Of President Putin

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's high-profile presence as the Moscow region battles wildfires signals his intent to show the nation who is in charge and points to a third presidential bid, Kremlin experts say. (Alexei Nikolsky / Pool Photo / August 2, 2010)

Putin Positioning Himself To Reclaim Russia Presidency -- L.A. Times

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's high-profile approach amid fires and a recent spy scandal is a bid to underscore to Russians that he is in charge, not President Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin experts say.

Reporting from Moscow — From the smoke of the wildfires engulfing the Moscow region and the embarrassment of this summer's spy scandal, Vladimir Putin is reemerging as Russia's most powerful man and, experts say, a candidate to reclaim the presidency a little more than a year and a half from now.

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My Comment: I am not a fan of Putin, but I do know one thing .... among my family in Russia (a dozen aunts and uncles, 3 dozen first cousins, and God only knows how many second cousins), all of them will vote for him in the next Presidential election.