MOSCOW, January 29, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data on what Russians think about new US President Barack Obama: what they know about him, which feelings he evokes, what President he will be, and what course in politics he should follow.

For the majority of Russians Barack Obama is known, first of all, as a President of the United States (72%). Russians also point out that he is an African American and that he is the first African American to be elected as a President of the USA (6% for each), another 5% know that he is young and energetic. 2% of respondents know that he was a senator, 1% - that he has a wife and children. 17% say that they do not know anything about Barack Obama.

Every third is indifferent towards new American President Barack Obama (33%), but in every fifth (20%) of respondents he evokes hope. Another 14% like him and 11% feel respect towards him. Russians equally (6% in each case) tend to trust and distrust new US leader. 3% are skeptical about Obama, 2% feel antipathy; those who feel admiration as well as those who feel disappointment are 1% for each. None of Russians feel condemnation or hatred towards US president. 20% were undecided. LDPR supporters (53%) and Russians aged 35-44 (40%) are the most indifferent to Obama. The respondents supporting democrats as well as Russians aged above 45 often say he evokes "hope" (33% and 22-24% respectively) and "liking" (25% and 16% respectively).

Over one quarter of Russians feel respect and liking towards new US president (27%). Most of those who have such opinion are residents of rural areas (31%), as well as democratic  and communist (CPRF) parties' supporters (33% for each),  31% of "United Russia" electorate share this stance.  23% of our citizens tell that they like Barack Obama not in everything he is, but they do respect the choice American people made.  Those who share this opinion are the citizens of both Russian capitals (Moscow and St.Petersburg) and other big cities (28-29%), as well as LDPR electorate (31%). Only 7% of Russians believe that the USA need another - more worthy president. The share of these respondents is the highest among Muscovites and Saint-Petersburgians (18%) and democrats' supporters (17%).

29% of our citizens predict: «Barack Obama will be a good President for his country». Such forecast is often given by the respondents aged 60 and above (34%) and those who support "United Russia" (33%). 23% of Russians give calm assessment telling that Obama will be an "average" president: those who tend to think so are mostly respondents aged 35-44 (29%) and democratic parties` adherents (50%). Only 4% predict poor government under new US President. As for the extremes, the shares of respondents who expect Obama to be "the best" or "the worst" President are 3% and 1% respectively. 40% were undecided.

Two thirds of Russians (66%) consider that new US President should not go in line with the course of his predecessor George W. Bush. The share of such respondents is the highest among the supporters of democratic parties "Pravoe Delo" (Right Force) and "Yabloko" (83%). 9% believe that Obama can follow the course of G.W.Bush, but some corrections are necessary - those who more often express such opinion are "Fair Russia" supporters (15%).

The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on January 24 and 25, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.

The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

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