Fans of President Putin Supporters of the Young Guard of United Russia party celebrate their overwhelming victory in recent elections (Photographer: Alexander Nemenov)
The Putin Generation -- Paul Starobin, The New Republic
What Russia’s protesters believe.
Maxim Katz is an unlikely Russian politician. There is his Jewish surname, his youthful age of 27, and his long, flowing dark hair. There is also his choice of profession: A former poker national champion, Katz now makes his living by staking promising poker players to big-pot tournament games, in return for a cut of the winnings. He didn’t even live in Russia for an eight-year stretch, from 1993 to 2001, when he resided in Tel Aviv. (“I didn’t like Israel—it’s hot,” he told me, explaining why he came back.) And yet, on March 4, the very same day that Vladimir Putin claimed a presidential election victory, Katz won a seat on a local district council in Moscow.
My Comment: My nationality is Russian .... so this analysis hits home. On a side note .... the article does not delve into it (it focuses on the young), but Putin's strongest base of support comes from the elderly. He has preserved their pensions, medicare, and housing .... a big plus for those who are dependent on the state.
As for my generation (I just turned 52), those of us who decided to take advantage of the turmoil and chaos after the the breakup of the Soviet Union have done OK .... but we are looking for something better .... and Putin is not it.
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