On a more negative note, the long-standing rumors that he had an affair with the Tsarina Alexandra made the Tsar look weak and cuckolded in the eyes of the masses. The first chapter of this book http://www.amazon.com/Interpreting-Russian-Revolution-Language-Symbols/dp/0300081065 discusses at great length how that rumor undercut the Tsar's credibility with the masses.

Rasputin was an avowed pacifist and a staunch opponent of Russian entry into World War I, which might explain any modern fans, as that is a very admirable position in retrospect.