Though little noticed in the national press, Barack Obama picked up an endorsement last week, according to this report by Kathleen Baydala in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. "'For those who oppose the death penalty and want to see it end, our best bet is to vote for Barack Obama because his supporters have been working behind the scenes to end this practice,' [Dale Leo] Bishop said."

However, Mr. Bishop will not be able to vote for Sen. Obama because he is (1) a convicted felon, and (2) deceased. Shortly after making the above statement, he was executed for his role in the fatal claw-hammer beating of Marcus Gentry in 1998. The story says, "Bishop did not deliver the fatal blows." True, but he supplied the murder weapon, forcibly brought the victim back after he escaped, and actively participated in the fatal assault. The Fifth Circuit opinion is here. This is a prime example of a crime where the question of which perpetrator actually delivered the fatal blow has little to do with culpability.