The Magnificent Seven Endorsements

When history looks back on the election of 2008 it will always deserve special attention. With Vice-President Cheney's commitment to not seek the Presidency the 2008 election became a wide-open race within both parties. On the Democratic side, Senator Hillary R. Clinton of New York appeared to have the inside track to the nomination, but she was upended by a quixotic rookie Senator from Illinois. Many causes can be attributed to her loss, but seven magnificent endorsements received by Obama early in the campaign tipped the momentum in his favor and he never looked back.

All of these endorsements were received before March 1, 2008 (this signals that these individuals were not simply opportunists jumping on the Obama bandwagon. Many of them endorsed Obama before the primaries began).

5 North Eastern Senators-

Senator John Kerry - Mass., Democratic Presidential nominee 2004
Senator Edward Kennedy - Mass., Chairman Senate Health, Education & Labor Committee
Senator Christopher Dodd - Connecticut, Chairman Senate Banking Committee
Senator Patrick Leahy - Vermont, Chairman Senate Judiciary Committee
Senator Jay Rockefeller - West Virginia, Chairman Senate Intelligence Committee

2 Female Governors-

Kathleen Sebelius - Kansas
Christine Gregoire - Washington

Combined, these endorsements sent a message to the nation that Hillary was out of favor with key party insiders and obviously did not have their trust or respect. Coupled with the endorsements of two female Governors, these endorsements were vital for Obama. If they had been reversed Hillary would be the nominee.