Oleg Slobodyanik, street vendor

I've always thought well of Luzhkov. If he becomes president of Russia, what could be better? I don't trust what was shown in [Sergei Dorenko's] program. It's some sort of slander. But I trust Luzhkov. I think everybody trusts him. And whatever they say about him is not going to shake this trust, people will trust him just the same.

Zaman Ismailov, construction engineer

You won't find another mayor like Luzhkov. He's tough, but just. What was said in Dorenko's program was disgusting; it shouldn't have been aired at all. It was one-sided, too. I'm not very much into politics, but I can see Berezovsky's hand in it. Even if it were true, but I don't think there was a pinch of truth in it, you can't behave in such a way as he did. The first channel...everyone was watching it... It was all falsified, and people know it. I support him 100 percent and try to convince others around me in his favor.

Tatyana Subbotina, teacher

I like this man, his initiative and the way he works. A lot has changed for the better in Moscow. As for Dorenko's program, my attitude is quite the opposite. I think that he wanted to show us something bad about Luzhkov while forgetting about the good that he's done. I didn't like his program at all. If people sincerely like Luzhkov, this won't change their attitude. It didn't change mine. But it did change my attitude toward Dorenko. It only has to do with is the upcoming elections, to bathe him in mud and edge him out of the run.

Lyudmila Stranatko, pensioner

There's no doubt Luzhkov is a very good city manager. It's easier in Moscow where all the financial capital is concentrated; but then again, one has to be able to manage that. All these allegations against him are hardly surprising in view of the pre-election campaign. Reports say he's connected to the mafia, but I think that - in this country - if you aren't, then you won't be able to do anything anyway. I don't see how allegations on television can change attitudes toward him. I would like to have him as a mayor at home [Taganrog]. I would vote for him as president.

Ilya Korshunov, student

He's not a bad mayor, but he won't make it to the presidential seat. I don't know what they've dug out on him, but my impression is that Dorenko had been paid to do that. It's all about the so-called information war on the eve of the elections. Maybe it's true, maybe not; I don't know, but facts without proof do not inspire trust. They'll hardly affect anybody's opinion of Luzhkov in Moscow, maybe in the provinces of Russia people will more likely believe that.

Yekaterina Sychyova, barmaid

Luzhkov has done a lot for Moscow. He'd be great as president, but either he doesn't want to, or others don't imagine him in this position. I'd vote for him again. He's being blamed a lot, but tell me who is without sin. I don't really pay attention to what they say; I'm neutral to all that, but what is a shame is that this man has really done a lot for Moscow, and now others accuse him of wrongdoing. Everyone has friends and enemies, and one should take it as natural that he might be blamed. A man is judged by his deeds; I haven't seen any wrong done by him.