Official: Vladimir Putin today and four years ago very different

'Vladimir Putin today and four years ago are two very different people, said State Construction Bureau Chief and Putin campaign member Igor Spassky in a press conference yesterday. 'It takes a great deal of talent to precisely analyze the situation in the country in 40 minutes,' said Spassky in regard to Putin's campaign speech earlier this week at Moscow State University.

Spassky added that Putin made a number of important statements during his speech. He said that one difference is Putin's relationship to Russian history before 1999. 'Earlier, Putin related to it more cautiously,' he said. He added that Putin has begun to put more emphasis on policy failures and poor performance as well as the quality of life of all citizens. Spassky also said that the mail goal of the Putin's St. Petersburg election headquarters would be to encourage more people to vote.