I suppose the issue is whether the institutions of Russia (ie, the name and rules surrounding the Presidency) are stronger than the political personalities themselves?

I’m somewhat sceptical that Russia’s political institutions, which are only 16 years old, are old enough and strong enough to survive if one strong man wants to continue ruling.

“’But by all accounts, Putin may be leaving the Presidency, but there has never be any indication that he will leave Russian politics.’

Isn’t this what they said about Yeltsin?

Really, given the immense powers of the presidency, can the president be anyone’s puppet? They said VVP was BAB’s kukla.”

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Unlike Putin’s situation, Yeltsin left office unpopular and in poor health.

http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20071210/91731068.html

“Reporters without agendas” appear quite hard to come by in English language mass media; the most influential of media.

Let’s hope that the nomination of Medvedev will begin the decline of the Russophobic voices. For so long now they have been screaming, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling, Putin is bad, bad, oh so very bad.”

Perhaps now, the rhetoric (like DarthJesus’ above) of the Russophobes will be drowned out by the more reasonable and fair voices of “reporters without agendas.”

What do they say here in Russia? “Hope is always the last thing to die.” Well, hope is still yet alive.

He might not even have to do that much.