Exchanging barbs with Putin is precisely what he wants. He is trying to cement his populist support by using the U.S. as the villain. It worked before, and it will work again.
The Russian people are unbelievably nationalistic and he is simply pushing the buttons.
I like to use the analogy of the Klingon's in the Star Trek story. They fit like a glove with Russian Nationalism, and it was not a accident that there is a direct comparison.
thats an interesting observation about Star Trek.