The big one

"There is one man who knows and understands that this is the time for bold leadership," Edwards said at an Obama rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Wednesday. "That man is Barack Obama," he said.

In an apparent effort to unite the fractured wings of the Democratic Party, Edwards began his remarks by praising Senator Clinton. "She believes with every fiber of her being that America can be a better place, and that we need change to make America what it is capable of being."

Obama, Edwards and Senator Hillary Clinton were the three top contenders for the Democratic nomination the past year. 

Obama has already won the support of several other former rivals, including New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd. And he's also won the endorsement of the 2004 Democratic nominee, Senator John Kerry.

The only other available endorsements that might be more valuable to a Democratic presidential candidate are former Vice President Al Gore and former President Jimmy Carter.

The Obama campaign wasted no time in exploiting the endorsement. The campaign posted a photo of the two men on its web site Wednesday night and sent out an email to supporters asking them to donate and send a note to Senator Edwards. "I'll make sure he gets them," Obama wrote.

Obama praised Edwards as a "true leader who dedicated his career to improving the lives of ordinary Americans." The Illinois senator said Edwards had run a "strong, principled campaign for president" and specifically applauded him for raising issues of universal health care, bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating poverty in America.