Bill Richardson has endorsed Barack Obama. This is big. We think he is trying to unite the party. In his view the nomination has been decided.

There is no story Clinton can tell to convince superdelegates to reverse that mathematical fact, in his view. “My great affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver. It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall.”

The Clinton campaign responded to the endorsement as Dick Cheney might: So?

Clinton might not be dead, but Obama is trying to bury her anyway.

Richardson is just one superdelegate who took his shot. He hopes others will hear the music.

Other bloggers on he subject:

Daily Kos: This is a good boost for Obama.

The Carpetbagger Report: A mild surprise. Could help Obama pick up support among Hispanics.

At Talking Points Election Central:

In another statement, Richardson added: “I believe he is the kind of once-in-a-lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America’s moral leadership in the world.”

And Richardson took direct issue with the Hillary camp’s claim that Obama hasn’t passed the “commander in chief test”: “There is no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama has the judgment and courage we need in a commander in chief when our nation’s security is on the line.”