They entrenched themselves behind a wall of tradition. 他们以传统为挡箭牌来保护自己。
One might be to arrange for a straw man to win the election and then step down, paving the way for Mr Putin to return triumphantly in a snap election. 一种可能是安排一个挡箭牌赢得大选,然后辞职,为普京在即将到来的大选上成功回归铺平道路。