Q:

"Endorse" vs. "condone"

What is the difference in meaning/connotation between the two words?  Is endorse "stronger", more positive? 
Also, endorse is to endorsement as condone is to what?  Is there a noun counterpart? 

A:

To "endorse" is to say that you approve of something, you are for it.  To "condone" is to say that you accept or tolerate it.  You condone something that you think is a bad idea or a wrong action but that is forgivable or understandable given the circumstances.  You endore seomthing that you think is a positive good and that you encourage.  So yes, "endorse" is a much stronger positive. 
thefreedictionary.com lists "condonation" as the noun form of "condone", but I don't recall ever seeing this word used.  If you need it, it's there, but I'd avoid it as unlikely to be familiar to your audience.