The only ones I've seen are Edwards first, Clinton second.

And anyone who thinks this'll make a lick of difference in KY is just looking at a map and making some really stupid assumptions.  "The South" isn't just a block of states that move en masse.  KY has a whole different culture and style and is hardly ever considered part of the south.

I think it was an effort to jumpstart the program and get some money from supporters.

If he hadn't endorsed, would Edwards's program be considered just one more of the indie groups Obama's campaign wants donors to steer clear of?

But Edwards was my first choice, also, and he's earned at least enough respect for me to want to hear his reasons before I would change my opinion of him.

Heck, even Obama shouldn't have written us off, if he cares about the message and promise of his campaign.  A two-day spin through the state, some Kennedy in tow, from Charleston to Logan to Princeton to Morgantown to Wheeling, or alternative, smaller towns in the general vinicity, a well-pitched and neatly tailored speech about WV history and JFK and America's promise and perserverence, an acknowledgment of the deep loyalty the the state has for those it knows well (like Hillary), a humble request for a second look.  

At the very least, that would've showed some (gulp) political gumption, which I think the Democratic party needs to show people like the people of West Virginia.  

As committed as I am to a Democratic president in 2008, my reservations about Obama (as a West Virginian) are growing.  

My state needs to be relevant; it's a matter of economic survival.  If the Democratic party writes us off, the party has no incentive to provide the kind of economic support WV will need in a transition from a coal economy.  We're already 50th in median income, and that's with a bunch of high-income coal-oriented jobs.   Senator Byrd is not immortal, and the rest of our delegation are never going to be voted out can never come close to filling Byrd's shoes.

And now this Dear West Virginia letter from the Democratic party.  Sigh.

The Edwards announcment instantly changed the entire narrative on all three networks.

 Immediately.

Brilliant.

I am troubled, however, that Edwards didn't warn the Clinton camp.

I was always for Clinton, but I respected Edwards up until the crying comment (though the ankles comment was a bit annoying).  He also stated that he was against gay marriage, which I had a problem with.  Even Obama has managed to nuance his standing on the issue.

As for this endorsement, I think it would have mattered coming into NC.  His delegates can do what they like and he can't make them go to Obama.  As I recall, when he suspended, they became orphaned.  I can't imagine anyone close to the dem echelon at this point not having a side already chosen, so it probably won't mean much.