In another sign that John McCain still has a lot of work ahead if he is to fully repair his breach with hardcore conservatives, James Dobson officially endorsed Mike Huckabee in a statement released this morning, reiterating his opposition to McCain's candidacy. Dobson wrote that until yesterday there were "two pro-family candidates whom I could support, but I was reluctant to choose between them. However, the decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign 'on hold' changes the political landscape."

Here's a question worth pondering: If Dobson had endorsed Huckabee or Romney earlier, would that have altered the outcomes of any of the crucial January or Super Tuesday races, such as South Carolina or Florida? To borrow the words of William F. Buckley, as it stands now Dobson is just standing athwart inevitability and yelling, "Stop!"

The full statement is available after the jump.

I am endorsing Gov. Mike Huckabee for President of the United States today. My decision comes in the wake of my statement on Super Tuesday that I could not vote for Sen. John McCain, even if he goes on to win the Republican nomination. His record on the institution of the family and other conservative issues makes his candidacy a matter of conscience and concern for me.

That left two pro-family candidates whom I could support, but I was reluctant to choose between them. However, the decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign "on hold" changes the political landscape. The remaining candidate for whom I could vote is Gov. Huckabee. His unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others. That is why I will support Gov. Huckabee through the remaining primaries, and will vote for him in the general election if he should get the nomination. Obviously, the governor faces an uphill struggle, given the delegates already committed to Sen. McCain. Nevertheless, I believe he is our best remaining choice for President of the United States.