Putin understood US politics. He knew attacking gays would get RW America cheering him, and [View all]

[blm]

even praising him as a leader over that gay-friendly black guy Obama.

In his own country he used his attacks on gays to strengthen his support from church leaders there and used goons to attack gays on the street - highly PUBLICIZED attacks, especially here in the US. Bigots and homophobes are the same the world over. Putin became a RW superstar in the US by the start of the Olympic games.

I think Putin's plan for Ukraine had been in the works for much longer than media suggests. I believe he was calculated in his attacks on gays to specifically curry admiration with churches and RWers in his own country and in the US. The end of the Olympics triggered the beginning of his military actions to resurrect the USSR.

The GOP voter base have been useful idiots for Putin and his power grab.

I think today's GOP would repel and disgust Reagan at this point.