More on the Napolitano endorsement

The AP has details on the Napolitano endorsement.

“Napolitano planned to make her intentions known during a conference call Friday, according to an individual familiar with her plans who spoke on condition of anonymity because she hadn't publicly discussed the decision.

“The endorsement is a major gain for Obama in his race against chief rival Hillary Rodham Clinton. One of several female governors, Napolitano is in her second term.

“Napolitano is the most prominent Democrat in Arizona and her endorsement could be significant in a state now regarded as winnable by a Democratic presidential candidate after decades as a near-lock for Republicans. The state holds its primary on Feb. 5.”

The endorsement is surprising in some ways, the Arizona Star’s Daniel Scarpinato explains:

“Granted, the endorsement might defy conventional wisdom. As a woman, you might assume that Napolitano would gravitate towards Clinton. But the results of the Iowa caucus, where Obama pulled in more female voters than Clinton, illustrated that for many women gender isn’t everything.

“And considering Bill Clinton appointed Napolitano as a U.S. Attorney for Arizona in the 90s, you might think she owes it to the power couple.

“Well, just ask John Kerry, who picked Obama over former runningmate John Edwards today, about such loyalty.”