Letters to the Editor
-
Key endorsement
Richardson's endorsement of Obama is important because he is a sitting governor with wide-ranging experience and interests both in and out of government. Richardson has worked in the Clinton administration and has seen it from the inside. Sen. Clinton worked hard to win this endorsement, although her camp is now trying to downplay its importance. If Richardson, as a knowledgeable observer, has decided that Obama is the better candidate, then that is a big statement of support.
The timing is also important. Richardson did not endorse Obama when it was easy to do so, when Obama was riding high on the first wave of enthusiasm. Rather, Richardson came forward when the media and lots of others were relishing the opportunity to kick Obama with the overblown Wright smear campaign. It would have been easy for Richardson to avoid associating himself with the "tarnished" Obama, but he didn't do that. The sure sign of a class act, I think.
If this is indeed the start of a cascade of key endorsements by super delegates, it indicates that the Democratic chiefs are finally pulling themselves together, uniting behind the leading candidate, and readying themselves for the fall campaign.
The vaunted Pennsylvania primary is beginning to diminish in importance, no matter how it goes there.