Vladimir Putin's image management snafu
Vladimir Putin is primed to take over the Russian presidency again after a stint as prime minister. It was recently revealed by Dimitri Peskov, Putin's press secretary, that the video of Putin in full scuba-diving gear discovering sixth century ceramic jugs was staged. No one is surprised, and unlike his political brethren in the United States who are also masters of the photo op, Putin is able to get away with more fully rendered fabrications.
U.S. presidents offer a daily album of photos, proving that the commander-in-chief is hard at work, and occasionally at play. Of course, U.S. politicians are eager for flattering and photo ops providing positive spin, but staging an antiquities find would end a campaign faster than insinuations of infidelity.
Unlike President Obama, who enjoys a bit of basketball and golf, Putin has been crafting of his image as a virile outdoorsman since he became a public figure, following his career in his country's intelligence business.
Dimitri Peskov, Putin's press secretary doesn't think his boss needs much of a public relations apparatus. "In general, regarding his 'legend' and so forth, Putin doesn't need press secretaries or image-makers or public relations firms or anyone else," he told the New York Times. "In fact, most of the time, he does it himself."
