, Columnist
Putin Starts to Win American Minds, if Not Hearts
Americans believe that Russia is a threat, but don't believe in dire confrontation.
Smoke signals.
Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
According to recent data from Pew Research, 90 percent of Americans view "Russia's power and influence" as a threat, and 72 percent believe Russia hacked the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton campaign. A Washington Post/ABC News poll found 64 percent of Americans believe that Russia hacked the Democrats. In short, America has been persuaded, no matter how little it trusts its media and other institutions.
Does this mean, however, that most Americans are angry with President Vladimir Putin and would like to punish Russia? Polls say no. Like President Obama's Russia sanctions, the attempts to demonize Russia for its interference seem to have backfired.