Putin sits out election TV debates
By CNN's Moscow Bureau Chief Jill Dougherty
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Putin, seen with wife Lyudmila , is runaway favorite for reelection.
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MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia's presidential election campaign officially began Thursday with televised debates, but the candidate with a virtually insurmountable lead -- incumbent President Vladimir Putin -- did not participate.
With poll ratings showing 80 percent support, Putin is using the same strategy he used four years ago as he runs for reelection -- not participating in debates and not taking advantage of government-sponsored free television airtime.
The Russian leader did however make a rare appearance as candidate Thursday, taking part in a televised address to an invited audience at Moscow University.
The event was covered extensively by the Russian media, with the central broadcasting system offering its video signal for free to Russian and international networks.
The Putin campaign has also started a Web site -- www.putin2004.ru -- complete with biographical details of the president, his achievements and goals.
He is running as an independent, although he has a loyal following in the United Russia party which trounced the opposition in December's Parliamentary elections.
While criticizing him for not debating, Putin's political opponents admitted he has no need to do so since he is featured daily in reports on government-controlled media, appearing in the Kremlin and out among the public.
The president faces six challengers -- all of whom have poll ratings under five percent.
The list includes:
• Liberal independent Irina Khakamads
• Communist Nikolai Kharitonov
• Oleg Malyshkin, a former boxer and bodyguard for ultranationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky
• Sergei Glazyev, a popular nationalist
• Sergei Mironov, speaker of the upper house of Parliament who supports President Putin
• Independent Ivan Rybkin, head of the Liberal Russia party
Because of his overwhelming support in the polls, most observers believe Putin will coast to victory in the March 14 election and that the election campaign would be lackluster.
However, several intriguing moments have already occurred, including the disappearance and then reappearance of candidate Rybkin.
After hinting he might have been kidnapped, Rybkin gave a rambling interview to a Moscow radio station Wednesday, claiming he hid out in Kiev, Ukraine, because he was fearful Russia's security services were after him.
He said he is taking a "time out" for a week to consider whether he should drop out of the race.
