I am of the opinion that the endorsement of Senator Barack Obama today by Senator Byron Dorgan and Congressman John Lewis are both a very big deal.
Senator Dorgan is a respected, independent-minded, no-nonsense Senator from North Dakota. News of that endorsement was taken seriously in all quarters.
The other big news today was the endorsement of Obama by Congressman Lewis. I'd like to share two clips that provide some context for that endorsement...
Here is Congressman Lewis explaining how he agonized about his decision:
And here's what Congressman Lewis is talking about when he talks about "putting on his trenchcoat and his suit and his backpack" in Selma, Alabama:
When Congressman Lewis talks about the agony of choosing among "people that he loves, his extended family" it may be that he's sending a message to all Democrats about how hard the choices of a closely-contested primary season can be.
And perhaps in making that personal reference to Selma, Congressman Lewis is also providing an example of how we might unite in 2008 when our primary season comes to a resolution and walk together towards Denver as one Democratic family.