Pew polls US partisan divide on Israel, Russia, world leaders, etc.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm aware of the implicit reasons some on the right are exhibiting sympathy for Putin, but what are the explicit reasons? Even if we want to be "realists" and, chuckling, agree amongst ourselves that we can "help each other", that doesn't mean we need to express fealty, loyalty, or admiration. So, what gives?

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I'm aware of the implicit reasons some on the right are exhibiting sympathy for Putin, but what are the explicit reasons? Even if we want to be "realists" and, chuckling, agree amongst ourselves that we can "help each other", that doesn't mean we need to express fealty, loyalty, or admiration. So, what gives?

"Strong leader who protects his country unlike NOBAMA"

That's as much a reason to view him as a threat. He obviously appears positive relatively to his polity in comparison to Obama, but why the association of the Russian people with our people, and the assumption that what serves the Russian nationalist serves the American one--to the point that this implies natural camaraderie on the world stage?