Why Obama? For Napolitano, it was equal parts policy and personality.
She called the charismatic U.S. senator from Illinois "a unique motivator" and "a powerful persuader," and said she is hopeful he can create a new vision more focused on problem-solving than political point-scoring.
"All (Washington) D.C. is is a place where good ideas go to die," said Napolitano, a two-term Democrat. "I believe we need a new message of hope and solidarity. . . . To me, Senator Obama is evidence of that change we need."
Napolitano announced her endorsement from Obama's campaign headquarters in Phoenix. Immediately afterward, she met with campaign workers manning a phone bank and then flew to Las Vegas to appear with Obama at a town hall-style rally. She expected to return to Arizona today.
Obama supporters hope the governor's backing gives his campaign a needed boost on the eve of television advertisements slated to begin running in Phoenix today. The television spots are the first of any Democratic presidential hopeful to air in Arizona. The primary is set for Feb. 5. Napolitano's endorsement follows Obama's loss this week to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire primary. A wave of female voters is credited with driving her to victory in that state.
Napolitano conceded that her endorsement is specifically timed to help Obama counter Clinton's female strong suit in the days before the Jan. 19 Nevada caucuses, the next big contest for Democrats on the road to the party's nomination.
"I believe this is a crucial moment," Napolitano told reporters Friday.
Obama had been heavily courting Napolitano's support, meeting face to face with her on several occasions in the past year. Clinton's interest had not been as intense, according to sources close to Napolitano.
Obama cited the Arizona governor's popularity and pragmatism, which he hopes will translate into support.
"Her hallmark is common sense," he said. "She does what makes sense and what works."
The Clinton campaign shrugged off the endorsement.
Calls for campaign reaction were referred to campaign volunteer Stephanie Rimmer, a Clinton backer from Scottsdale who said she respects Napolitano but doesn't expect her endorsement to change many minds. "Arizona Democrats are more the independent thinkers," Rimmer said. "I think that'll continue to hold true."
It was President Clinton who gave Napolitano her first big break in 1993. Clinton named Napolitano U.S. attorney for Arizona, making her, at age 35, the state's top federal law-enforcement officer.
Citing that tie, as well as the obvious similarities between two women roaming the halls of power, many political observers expected Napolitano to side with Hillary Clinton. But the governor went another direction. "In my view, it wasn't about gender, nor about race," Napolitano said. "It's about a new vision for Washington, D.C."
Some pollsters are dubious of the impact that political endorsements have with voters, especially outside the endorser's home state. Tucson pollster Margaret Kenski, a Republican, said she'd never seen polling to indicate that the bit of political theater has much of a lasting impact. Pollster Fred Solop agreed, though he said that a weighty endorsement can be helpful to a candidate, like Obama, who faces questions about his experience.
"He benefits from the legitimacy Governor Napolitano has," said Solop, a political-science professor at Northern Arizona University.
Napolitano figures to give Obama added credibility on issues of law enforcement and illegal immigration. The governor has long pushed for federal immigration reform that brings both a more secure border, guest-worker program and path to citizenship.
Obama campaign volunteer Shirley McAllister, 76, was among those who talked briefly with the governor Friday and said she expects Obama "to put a new face on the United States for the rest of the world."
At first, the Sun City resident explained, she felt "sort of guilty" for not supporting Clinton, a woman she had long respected. But McAllister has put her belief in Obama's ability to "bring this country together" above her loyalty to Clinton.
And then there's this: "Maybe I just want my great-grandsons, who are Black, to have a role model."
Napolitano called both Obama and Clinton "imminently qualified" and said she will campaign for Clinton if the New York senator wins the party's nomination. On Thursday, Napolitano told Clinton of her plans to endorse Obama during a phone call that the governor conceded "was a difficult conversation for both of us because we know and respect each other."
Obama hinted at a possible role for Napolitano in his administration if he wins.
"I think she is enormously talented, and I think anyone would be happy to have her working for them," he said.
Obama's sentiment figures to fuel talk of a potential Cabinet position for Napolitano or even a spot on the presidential ticket. But Napolitano was brushing aside such speculation Friday, reminding reporters that her term as governor runs until 2010. If she vacated the seat, Secretary of State Jan Brewer, a Republican, would serve the rest of the term.
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