“It is time for me to step aside so that history can blaze its path,” said John Edwards when he dropped out of the presidential race in January.  After months of speculation, it is finally clear that Edwards thinks Barack Obama will be the one making history.

Edwards will endorse Obama’s bid for the Democratic nomination today at a rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“I confirm the endorsement,” of John Edwards, Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

The move comes the day after Obama was blown out by 41 points by Clinton in a nominating contest in West Virginia, but the loss was not enough to put much of a dent in his lead in the Democratic race.

The Dallas Morning News Trailblazers blog says Edwards’s timing is no accident:

The evening newscasts would surely have focused tonight on Clinton’s resurgence, and what Obama’s 41-point loss in West Virginia portends for him. Awfully nice of John Edwards to help change the storyline.

Obama has been steadily receiving endorsements from superdelegates in recent weeks, and the Edwards endorsement might just release a floodgate of support for the Illinois senator. I think it’s clear that Edwards - whether or not he’s angling for the VP slot on the Democratic ticket - would not endorse a candidate if he were not absolutely sure he would be the nominee.

This is the final blow for Clinton’s campaign. Game over.