Kerry Endorsement Starts Paying Dividends

Endorsements of presidential candidates are tricky. I doubt voters ever cite specific endorsements as their reason to vote for or against a candidate, but they can add to the a campaign's momentum or sense of viability. Like with much of these campaigns, it's not what happens but the reaction to what happens that matters.

With that in mind, I was a little apprehensive at first when John Kerry endorsed Barack Obama. Gore's endorsement of Dean in 2004 did not protect him from his eventual downfall, and John Kerry is neither a symbol of change nor a true icon of the Democratic Party. However, I thought that when a Senator like Kerry came out for Obama, it would lead other superdelegates to do the same and further tarnish Clinton's "aura of inevitability."

Today, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano endorsed Obama. This is a good one for the press to be talking about: popular, two-term Democrat, in an ostensibly Republican state, in a key region. Her gender will no doubt be seen as a sign that there are powerful women who aren't falling in line behind Clinton because of their chromosomes. Plus, she would make a great VP candidate, if like me you believe in the reinforcement over balance theory being kicked around. In this vein is Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who could endorse soon, hopefully before the Feb. 5 Kansas caucus.

With news of the Kerry endorsement came an endorsement from Pelosi lieutenant George Miller (CA-07), the chairman of Education and Labor. Much was made of whether or not this is the closest Pelosi will come to endorsing, which lead to a lot of regrettable crap about a Pelosi vs. Clinton powerplay. Either way, it is a powerful Democrat sending signals to the liberal base.

Most intriguing, however, is a NYT piece suggesting that James Clyburn could break his promise and endorse a candidate, predicated by the nasty tone the Clintons have taken against Obama. Specifically, Hillary's remark that MLK really wasn't that important after all, but also Bill's "fairy tale" garbage. Black leaders have been hesitant to back Barack for a variety of reasons, and a respected Congressman like Clyburn giving his seal of approval before the SC primary would be choice.

The benefit endorsements actually contribute is debatable, but their strategic use can no doubt help Obama's campaign, dampening the effect of NH and regaining some of the momentum before SC and NV.