US - Russia

The huge difference between American politics and, say, Russian, is that American president does not have a group of 100% devout supporters even in his own party. A whole number of Democratic congressmen and senators have out saying they will not support Obama's decision on Afghanistan. Some have also stated, in an ultimatum form, that the current administration has to create jobs soon, or else. The financing for the Afghanistan will probably go through because of the republican support but overall the decision might backfire for the president.

In US people's representatives actually care about their constituents.

Russian president or currently de facto man in control Putin enjoys absolute support of everyone in mainstream politics and as far as they are concerned he can do nothing wrong. To say that country is sick is an underestimation. And people's opinion means nothing.