I think (in this case) it's partly because he's the *Russian* president.
After the mess with the poisoned spy, the war of words between the UK and Russia and the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats the papers were grabbing for something that would make the big bad Russian dictator less frightening. And fishing topless manages that! They considered it silly because it lessens the threat. Consider it similar to the hysteria and front pages Saddam Hussain in his underwear received.
Journalists always have their own agenda. The only politicans that could get away with something like this are ones that they currently like - I imagine Gordon Brown, for example, wouldn't get as flamed as David Cameron as everyone seems to love Brown but hate Cameron (as you said though Brown has more sense which is probably *why* they currently like him!)
no subject
After the mess with the poisoned spy, the war of words between the UK and Russia and the tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats the papers were grabbing for something that would make the big bad Russian dictator less frightening. And fishing topless manages that! They considered it silly because it lessens the threat. Consider it similar to the hysteria and front pages Saddam Hussain in his underwear received.
Journalists always have their own agenda. The only politicans that could get away with something like this are ones that they currently like - I imagine Gordon Brown, for example, wouldn't get as flamed as David Cameron as everyone seems to love Brown but hate Cameron (as you said though Brown has more sense which is probably *why* they currently like him!)