Medvedev
 

If he's smart, he's already plotting Putin's assassination, because Putin is certainly plotting his.

If Putin prevails, I have no doubt that Russia's constitution will change and the pesky consecutive term limits will be eliminated.

He just appointed Putin as PM. Go figure.

They are longtime friends. Putin's puppet, no way he would have him whacked. Of course Medvedev has already shown some "independance" from Putin, but that's a show.

I don't believe for a second that Putin can stand being out of power for four years--even if he is pulling all of the strings behind the scenes. I think his ego is far too big for that.

Putin is in power. Everyone knows this. Medvedev is his proxy. And Medvedev understands this. Everything is tickedy-boo over there. Just as it should be.

No way. As long as the new guy is in the office as a puppet, then Putin can pull the strings from behind the curtain and be in power for another 8 years.