"There is one man who knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership. There is one man that knows how to create the change, the lasting change, that you have to build from the ground up. ..There is one man who knows in his heart there is time to create one America, not two ... and that man is Barack Obama."-former Presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards endorsed Senator Barack Obama at a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, also taking time to praise Senator Hillary Clinton's candidacy.

BlogHer's Catherine Morgan has the endorsement speech at the Political Voices of Women.

Dawn Teo at the Huffington Post writes, "Some have questioned this, asking why he is going back on his word and endorsing before the race is over. I don't think he is going back on his word at all. He is sending a message, and that message is, 'The race is over.'

John Edwards is saying, let's circle the wagons. Obama is our guy. The people have spoken. The race for Democratic presidential nominee is over."

Karoli at Bang the Drum says, "I think something else. I think it’s completely strategic, and relates to the West Virginia vote yesterday. By withholding his endorsement until today, Edwards pulled votes away from Clinton yesterday in a state that may have been the most difficult in the entire 50 United States for Obama to gain any traction within."

Nicki writes, "Tonight, I listened to his speech.  I listened to a man who was about to tip the scale tremendously in the favor of the crowd’s chosen one receive boos as he spoke of the other candidate, Hillary Rodham Clinton.  I listened to a man who sounded like he was still running for office.  I listened to a man who discussed an initiative he announced in Philadelphia be endorsed by Obama.  That was when the lightning bolt went on.  He is making a pitch for the vice presidential nominee again.

I listened as John Edwards talked of the two Americas that have not been spoken of since he left the campaign.  I listened as John Edwards spoke with passion about education for all in this country.  I listened as John Edwards said Barack Obama would be president in January of 2009.  That is when I stopped listening."

Contributing Editor Erin Kotecki Vest also blogs at Queen of Spain blog