The U.S. Could Learn Something From Russian Women And The iPad 2

Back in the 1950’s the Russians beat the U.S. to space and now, a new millennium later, they may have beat the U.S. to some crazy and creative political campaign ideas. According to The Telegraph, a group of young women have come together and began a movement known as “Putin’s Army.” Their hopes are to get the current Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin, elected as president in March, 2012. So why does AppAdvice care about Russian politics? Well, it involves an iPad 2. Putin’s Army is using the campaign slogan of “tear it off for Putin” and is giving away an iPad 2 to some lucky woman who submits a videotape showing how they will tear it off. A video has surfaced which shows an attractive, blonde woman named Diana who is walking through central Moscow in high heels and a suit. CNN World translated the narration in the video: "I'm crazy about the person who has changed our country. He is a prominent politician and an awesome man. His name is Vladimir Putin. Millions of people adore and trust him." Diana also says: "We are launching a contest with very simple rules. Shoot your own video as you tear up something -- or someone -- in the name of Putin. Then post your video in the VKontakte group. Those of you who produce the most original video will become the owner of an iPad 2. Tell us what YOU would do for your president." (VKontakte is a social networking site in Russia, similar to Facebook.) Then, Diana joins several other friends who are viewing the Putin’s Army webpage together on the beach. Diana pulls out a white tank top and writes with red lipstick on the tank “I will tear off for Putin.”

It is not entirely clear if women need to tear their clothes off for Putin in their homemade video, but it seems the campaign is very suggestive of this idea. Russia’s culture has become very comfortable with nudity and expression, which was once very taboo during the Soviet era. The video contest will run until August 26, 2011. What would happen if the U.S. moved political campaigns in this direction? Maybe it would bring a lighter feel to the disgruntled and polarized world of American politics. These days, it seems like anything goes, with some of the attacking and scathing remarks that are made during heated elections. Could the iPad 2 help turn the sharp tongued political advocates into people who are loose and expressive? I bet many people could come up with clever slogans for current presidential candidates, all in the name of winning one of the worlds greatest technological advancements. How about "Ooh la la for Obama” or “Rowdy for Romney.” Yeah, not the best, but since AppAdvice is a family-friendly site, we will allow you to be creative and fill in the blanks. If you leave a comment below, please leave out your slogans, we all get the idea. Russia just might be on to something however. We will see if it works come next spring in their presidential election. Putin seems to attract the young female population. Last October, a group of journalism students posed for a bikini calendar, which was a gift for his 58^th birthday. Putin was previously president between 2000 -2008.