In October 2007, a poll reported that theoverwhelming majority of Russians could not describe Putin’s Plan or hadeven heard of it. Yet, an equally large majority was nevertheless confident thatPutin had one.3 Furthermore, as the results of the December parliamentaryelections showed, Russians want the countryto be guided by that strategy, whatever it is.
It is jarring seeing this much trust and belief in a plan that has never been anywhere outside of Putin's mind. The people and other politicians were just totally on board with a plan that isn't a plan but is a plan in Putin's head.