How strong is Vladimir Putin's support?

A team of British-based social scientists draw on data from regular VTsIOM pre-campaign and presidential campaign polls and the post-election ninth Ne w Russia Barometer survey to specify the breadth, commitment, and durabilit y of support for Vladimir Putin. What were the political, economic, and soc ial characteristics of his broad-based electoral support? Given Putin's "tr iangulated" appeal to Russians, how strongly is the electorate committed to the new president- and how different is his commitment from that of Gennad iy Zyuganov? What do post-election polls and events tell us about the poten tial durability of the support of a person who was a political unknown six months before he first became president?