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08/22/2007: "Now, That's Leadership!"
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No, this isn't Eye Candy for our lady anglers (although, if there are any lady anglers who read this blog, feel free to chime in!) ... :-)
Russian leaders haven't traditionally been seen as athletic or outdoorsy types. Usually, they're more bear-like - huddled in the snow in a thick fur coat, looking like they're grumbling about one thing or another. They'd take their shoe off and bang it over your head, but it's too damned cold.
Vladimir Putin, the current Russian President, has never fit that mold. The first leader of that country after the fall of the Soviet Union, he's more of a progressive thinker than his predecessors. Yet he's not afraid to pull out the big guns and squash the occasional democratic uprising when necessary.
But we're not here to talk about his tradition leadership skills. No, today we're talking about his mastery of a traditional Western leadership trait - the photo op. Here we see Putin fishing in Siberia - Siberia! - with his shirt off, enjoying a little Russian sunshine. Somehow, I just don't see Bush or Cheney pulling this one off.
As you might imagine, Putin is taking a lot of flack from pretty much all sides over the pictures, which were taken during a visit by Monaco's Prince Albert. I say the press should lay off the guy. If Hillary Clinton can show her cleavage for votes, then why can't Putin take off his shirt. And the spinning outfit is probably worth it's weight in gold. After all - how can you bomb a guy who fishes? 
