For the first time since the historic 1960 primary election, the Democratic presidential nomination remains hotly contested as West Virginians prepare to vote. So this state's Democrats and independents may, once again, help decide U.S. history.

We hope they support the brilliant, inspiring, eloquent frontrunner in the race, Barack Obama.

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Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

Obama appeals to the innate decency in all groups of people, beyond party lines, without personal grandiosity. He fosters a desire to restore America's finest values of honor and fairness.

In endorsing Obama, Sen. Jay Rockefeller pointed out that the young Illinois lawyer had to work hard - "there was nothing sheltered about his life" - but he rose to national stature. Rockefeller said Obama was far-sighted enough to oppose President Bush's unwise plan to invade Iraq while most others, including rival Hillary Clinton, supported the invasion.

"The indisputable fact is, Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong," the West Virginia senator said. "It was a tough call and the single greatest national security question - and mistake - of our time. ... What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It's about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time, and every time."

Other voices say the frontrunner offers the best hope for America:

"Obama offers true change - a different and unique vision with purpose, determination and outstretched hands," the Albuquerque Tribune commented. "It has been a very long time since America had the leadership of someone who could disarm us of our pessimism, remind us of our roots and heritage, and insist that we can solve America's enormous problems together. ... Not since the 1960s have we been so touched by someone who espouses the hopes and strengths of a nation. ... Obama seeks to leapfrog Washington's harsh political rhetoric and gridlock for all the right reasons."

We hope they support the brilliant, inspiring, eloquent frontrunner in the race, Barack Obama.

Sen. Obama is a rare figure in U.S. politics - a deep thinker who rises above partisan sniping and makes statecraft seem noble. He raises hope that, after the disastrous Bush years mercifully come to an end, Americans can again be proud of their national leader.

Obama appeals to the innate decency in all groups of people, beyond party lines, without personal grandiosity. He fosters a desire to restore America's finest values of honor and fairness.

In endorsing Obama, Sen. Jay Rockefeller pointed out that the young Illinois lawyer had to work hard - "there was nothing sheltered about his life" - but he rose to national stature. Rockefeller said Obama was far-sighted enough to oppose President Bush's unwise plan to invade Iraq while most others, including rival Hillary Clinton, supported the invasion.

"The indisputable fact is, Barack Obama was right about Iraq when many of us were wrong," the West Virginia senator said. "It was a tough call and the single greatest national security question - and mistake - of our time. ... What matters most in the Oval Office is sound judgment and decisive action. It's about getting it right on crucial national security questions the first time, and every time."

Other voices say the frontrunner offers the best hope for America:

"Obama offers true change - a different and unique vision with purpose, determination and outstretched hands," the Albuquerque Tribune commented. "It has been a very long time since America had the leadership of someone who could disarm us of our pessimism, remind us of our roots and heritage, and insist that we can solve America's enormous problems together. ... Not since the 1960s have we been so touched by someone who espouses the hopes and strengths of a nation. ... Obama seeks to leapfrog Washington's harsh political rhetoric and gridlock for all the right reasons."

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times observed:

"Obama [has] ability to reawaken faith in representative democracy among Americans sick of leadership that depends on division and demonizing of opponents.  ... The image of the United States has been shamefully stained by betrayal of its democratic principles by the current administration. A recession looms and Americans are worried about their jobs, their homes, their pensions and their children's education."

The Iowa State Daily added:

"Perhaps what Obama offers most of all is a change of family. Two families have run the country for the past 20 years, and an election for Hillary would make that 24 at a minimum - longer than most college students have been alive. Political power shouldn't follow through family lines. That in itself is unhealthy for our country's image to the rest of the world as a democracy."

As far as issues go, Obama and Clinton hold almost identical positions on major national questions. But there's one great difference: As Rockefeller said, back in 2002, while still in the Illinois state senate, Obama fiercely opposed Bush's plan to attack Iraq - while Clinton endorsed it, and never quite apologized for her action. The San Francisco Chronicle noted:

"Obama stands alone in his opposition to the invasion at the outset. [Hillary] Clinton and [John] Edwards each voted to give President Bush the authorization to use military force against Saddam Hussein. Edwards acknowledges his mistake; Clinton parses the meaning of the resolution. It was Obama's instincts that proved sound."

We think Obama's instincts are more than sound. They uplift the best qualities that lie deep inside most Americans. Therefore, we endorse him in the upcoming West Virginia Democratic nomination vote.