THE ENDORSEMENT FROM HELL – AT 11:51 P.M. ET:  President Obama has received a major endorsement for his reelection campaign.  I'm not so sure he wants it. 

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed talk of a deepening rift with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in remarks published Monday, strongly hinting they would not run against each other for president next year.

In a Financial Times interview, he also said he hoped Barack Obama, who has helped improve Russian-U.S. ties, would win a new term as U.S. president next year.

Improve?  Seems to me they're more belligerent than they've been in years.  Maybe they just realize they're getting away with it.

Medvedev, steered into the Kremlin by Putin in 2008 when he was barred from a third straight term, has made veiled criticism of his predecessor and emphasized the need for change, stoking speculation of growing discord ahead of the March 2012 election.

In what many investors saw as a campaign speech Friday, he warned against one-man rule and hinted that the stability Putin boasts of bringing to Russia could lead to stagnation.

COMMENT:  As an endorser, the Russian president ranks right up there with Hugo Chavez and Anthony Weiner.  I don't think you'll see Medvedev's quote on any Obama billboards.

June 19, 2011