Do endorsements matter?

Personally, I like to make my own decision. To vote for someone because "a celebrity" endorsed him or her makes the whole process a cult.

I don't even like the party endorsements and am working on convincing candidates in Minnesota to stick around to the primaries and not to drop from the race if they don't get the party endorsements (yes, they are known to do so).

But let's look at the most prominent endorsements that have been carried on DU and in the media like giant banners:

"The biggest union in Nevada" endorsed Obama. Clinton won Nevada

"The biggest union in California" endorsed Obama. Clinton won California.

Both MA senators endorsed Obama. Clinton won Massachusetts.

No doubt, there are examples of important state official endorsing Clinton yet Obama won the state.

Can the people on DU, at least, demonstrate independent thinking and support their candidates for what they stand for, and not because of anyone's endorsement?

"right to life" endorsement, I try to find another candidate.
"right to life" is not "right to life" it is "right to birth" and screw you, your mother and the rest of your family after that

Also, I'll take this moment to remind everybody that this isn't like the GE where it's winner take all.

"Clinton won Nevada"

Actually, Obama won Nevada by one delegate.

""The biggest union in California" endorsed Obama. Clinton won California."

Clinton won California, but it was a much closer race than it had been previously expected to be. Same applies to Ma.

Super Delegates and Edwards would make any real impact in the race.

Sometimes I think endorsers do so solely for self promotion and a need to have their ass kissed and another moment in the spotlight, not that there's anything wrong with that.

On the other hand when I see zealots like dobson endorsing huckabee and bauer endorsing mccain, well then yes they do matter to me. They enforce my desire not to vote for people I never would have voted for anyway.

And when I hear rush limbaugh masturbating over the radio about bobby jindal, the new governor of Louisiana then I know I was right about the little shit all along.

Yes they matter. No they don't. I hope I've cleared that up for you.

already made decision, and not - when they are in your face.

I suppose this makes sense.

Some would say that the endorsements that you mentioned worked well, considering the amount of time and how far behind Obama was. For example, Obama won more delegates in Nevada, and did lose CA and MA, but by margins that were less than they otherwise would have been, meaning he won more delegates than he otherwise would have.