>> reporter: some democrats and republicans are questioning putin's sanity for pressing to the brink. >> i think he loves to strut on the world's stage. it could have some impact psychologically. >> reporter: putin is in many way delusional about this. >> reporter: trying to get a read on the former kgb agent fond of flaunting his bear chest and hunting game can be a moving target and a political mine field. relations with russia once seen as a punch line. >> and i can see russia from my house. are are people aren't laughing now. >> people are looking at pew tib as one who wrestles bears and drills for oil. they look at our president as one who wears mom jeans and equivocates and imbloviates. >> reporter: could anybody predict putin would be such a pain now. mitt romney did. >> a few months ago when you were asked the biggest geopolitical threat facing