The Edwards Endorsement

Considering that John Edwards got 7% of the vote in the West Virginia primary and he's been out of the race for over three months, his endorsement of Barack Obama should feel more notable. But it doesn't. It feels like the party closing ranks around the nominee. Which is good or bad depending on your perspective.

Former Sen. John Edwards is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's presidential candidacy Wednesday evening, in a dramatic attempt by the Obama campaign to answer concerns regarding Obama's appeal to working-class voters, several senior Democratic sources tell ABC News.

The Obama campaign confirms Edwards will endorse Obama at a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan Wednesday. The event was originally scheduled to start at 7pmET, but was moved up to 6:20pmET, presumably to have the announcement make the evening news.

Edwards, who ran for president on a platform of eradicating poverty, plans to appear alongside Obama for the announcement. The event comes one day after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defeated Obama by 41 points in the West Virginia primary, and Edwards' endorsement will give Obama a key establishment stamp of approval as he attempts to close out the nominating process.

If Edwards helped Obama so much among white working-class voters, he'd still be in the race. Obama needs to solve that problem on his own and showing the support of his new friend isn't totally going to help.

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt. And I respect Edwards, and I think he made the right decision.