and Boucher is superdelegate :)

I'm happy to see Sen. Webb sit out the endorsement phase of this campaign.  It serves him no real purpose to get on a bandwagon, and besides, its not his style.

I mean, why does anyone make an endorsement, by your reasoning?  I disagree:  a Jim Webb endorsement of Barack Obama could help change the future of this country.  That not only serves a "real purpose," it matters a great deal.

Until at least after the Virginia primary, and possibly, not at all.  I take him at his word and respect his decision.  

During the 2006 Primary Debate, Chris Matthews asked both Harris Miller and Jim Webb who they would endorse for President, Hillary Clinton or Mark Warner.

Harris Miller's answer, in less than one heartbeat: "Mark Warner."

Jim Webb's answer, by contrast, was that he would like to take some time to learn more about both candidates before he made any decisions.  Which was a punt; Hillary Clinton has been in the public eye for a decade, and Mark Warner is one of the best known and most popular Governors in Virginia history.  But what it told me is that Jim Webb has enough political savy to not pick sides when there's not a clear front-runner, and he's a much cooler customer than some other folks.

endorses Obama.  Sheila Dixon is Baltimore's first female mayor.

If this thing goes to the convention undecided, Webb's superdelegate vote could be key to brokering the convention.

I suspect Webb is quietly leaning to Obama, but he sits on many committees with Clinton, and no doubt would like to avoid offending her.

I think Webb could speak at an Obama event without formally endorsing him. Obama did speak at an event for Webb.  

...then this endorsement is huge for Obama. Boucher is always incredibly popular in a red portion of the Commonwealth, and bringing out any number of newer primary voters could certainly tip the scales of a close contest to Obama's corner. Big pickup.

Obama needs some major PR down here. even dems are still caught up on that Muslim e-mail. i tell people i support him and about 2/3 question his motives because they think he was raised Muslim and even when i correct them and give proof they are still skeptical.

From the Bristol Herald Courier:

"He has the broadest appeal of any of the candidates," Boucher said. "He clearly, in my mind, offers the best hope for the Democratic party to win the general election."

Boucher predicted Obama would be the top vote-getter across Southwest Virginia and carry the state in the Feb. 12 primary election.

Boucher said he studied the messages and campaigns of all the Democratic contenders and considered Obama the best choice.

"He can unite the country like no other, which is important after years of the most bitter partisanship in recent memory," Boucher said.

Courtesy of Tim Craig at the Washington Post:

"I am announcing this afternoon my endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for President.

He is our party's most compelling candidate. He has a bold vision to take America in a positive new direction.

He has the broadest appeal of any of the candidates. His positive message and steadfast focus on the future inspire hope and enable him to attract support from Democrats, independents and Republicans in a way that no other candidate can. He presents our best opportunity to win the presidency and to govern effectively with bipartisan support from the Congress.

His message and his personal style can bring unity to the country, and after eight years of the most bitter partisanship in memory those qualities are today essential. Senator Obama has them in a way that no other candidate does.

He`ll have strong appeal in rural America in a way that no other candidate will. And only with broad support in rural America can a Democratic candidate win the presidency.

I represent a rural district of 27 counties and cities in southwestern Virginia. George Bush received 60% of the vote in my district in 2004. I believe Senator Obama can carry it in 2008, and no other Democratic candidate can.

He truly cares about rural America. He understands our challenges and has a thoughtful plan to enable us to realize our opportunities. From advancing rural economic development and job creation to promoting agriculture, spreading the availability of high-speed Internet access, reinvesting in our critical water and waste water infrastructures and facilitating greater access to affordable health care, Senator Obama has demonstrated a determination to meet rural needs.

He will be well received in rural America, and rural support will be a strong component of his victory.

I am pleased to endorse Senator Obama for President and look forward to working actively for his nomination and election."

Look how he threw his support behind Obama in Iowa.  Jim Webb needs to stay in the Senate, one of the best places in politics to hide an inflamed ego.  Webb actually looks modest and unassuming amongst all those divas!
:)

and that would have really helped Obama before Nevada. He probably wants to be anyone's runningmate, and thus doesn't want to go against Clinton in the event she's the nominee.

And I thought that during the pre-Iowa debates he was running to be Clinton's VP, although I have to confess that I believe that he is the best candidate in either party for POTUS.  However, in Iowa his precinct captains were instructed to caucus with Obama's supporters if their initial nose-count did not make them viable (15% or more) in that precinct.  To me, that speaks much louder than any endorsement.  

I live in SW VA and am a long standing Democrat and didn't see this one coming.  Boucher is very clever and a brilliant politician.  This part of the state is so conservative that I belive his endorsement of Obama is a recognition that he would be cooked over a spit if he endorsed Hillary Clinton.  Basically in SWVA, Clinton is one step above the Devil if not the Devil herself!  I suspect if Boucher represented a more liberal area such as Richmond or NOVA, he would not be so quick to endorse Obama and might, perhaps support Hillary.  The key to understanding Rick's endorsement is the quote that Obama "will have appeal in rural Virginia like no other candidate will."  i.e., Hillary will not have such an appeal.  The problem for Dems in SWVA is that if Hillary could only get around 35% of rural VA, Obama, if Boucher is correct, would only get around 36.  I believe Boucher should have waited until after the primary and been more prudent and circumspect as Webb has been .

Boucher doesn't see Edwards getting the nomination...
So he wants to make DAMN sure that no one makes the mistake of thinking he supports Hillary.