STRANGE ENDORSEMENT – AT 9:37 A.M. ET:  Donald Trump has a fan.  From AFP: 

Moscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump as a talented and outstanding man, welcoming his stance on Russia.

"He is a very outstanding man, unquestionably talented," Putin told journalists after his annual press conference in Moscow.

"It's not up to us to judge his virtue, that is up to US voters, but he is the absolute leader of the presidential race," Putin added.

Putin said Russia is ready to work with the United States no matter who is elected president next year. "We are ready to work with any president chosen by the American people."

Trump, a tycoon and onetime reality television star who has unexpectedly become leader of the Republican presidential candidates' race, has been gaining both fans and enemies recently for his inflammatory remarks against Muslims.

He has vowed to ban all Muslims from entering the United States if he succeeds in his bid to become the next US president.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday called Trump's comments "divisive, stupid and wrong."

Putin said that Trump's comments to his domestic audience while on the campaign trail were not Russia's concern, but added that he likes the Republican hopeful's statements on Russia.

"On domestic politics, his manner of speaking, what he employs to raise his popularity" -- that is none of Russia's business, Putin said. "It's not our concern to evaluate his work."

Some of Trump's statements on Putin are apparently music to the Russian president's ear.

"He says that he wants a different level of relations, tighter and deeper relations with Russia, how can we not welcome that? Of course we welcome it," Putin said.

COMMENT:  Very shrewd comments by Putin, who is probably the best strategic player among the major world leaders.  Why should he attack Trump, like so many others?  What's in it for Russia?  By praising him, he has a friend should Trump get elected.  I'm not in favor of Trump, but watching Trump and Putin deal with each other would be a political feast.

December 17, 2015