It appears that Mark Wilson who will announce formally later today that he is endorsing Sen. Maria Cantwell will become a full-time staffer for the campaign trying to reach out to liberals. In an e-mail to supporters last night, which Howie in Seattle has posted, Wilson said:

Unlike McGavick, who is able to campaign every day, Senator Cantwell still has a full time job-- representing us. On top of her job she is campaigning. She needs our support and help to unify all progressives behind her. She asked and I've agreed to work with her to help engage her campaign with you and all progressives.

My values and issues have not changed. My strategy has.

I will be taking an active full-time role in Senator Cantwell's re-election campaign. I will be a constant voice for the peace and justice community, for veterans, military families and labor. We all need to be fully engaged.

As for the war, which propelled Wilson into the race, he said:

I have had a deep and personal one-on-one conversation with Senator Cantwell. I came away convinced we are on the same path when it comes to solving the crisis in Iraq and the potential crisis with Iran.

UPDATE: Cantwell and Wilson just appeared together at Cantwell's Lake Union campaign headquarters. Wilson read a statement similar to what he sent his supporters.

He will be paid by the campaign for outreach to liberals and what Wilson called "the peace and justice community." He wouldn't say how much he'll be paid.

If you were wondering, as I have, how they would explain the path Wilson took from Cantwell's No. 1 anti-war critic to a member of her campaign staff, they chose not to.

Asked specifically about Cantwell's position on the Iraq war and occupation, Wilson said, "I'm seeing an evolution."

But Cantwell was clear -- at least as clear as she could be in the very short time allowed for questions at what was billed as a "major campaign announcement" -- that she has not changed her position on Iraq. She said recent statements she has made and the recent Senate vote calling for troop withdrawal beginning this year have been "a reaffirmation for people of what I've been saying."

State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz issued a statement today that said in part: "Mark Wilson's voice has demonstrated and added strength to the Democratic Party as we seek a solution to the crisis in the Middle East to bring our troops home." Pelz said a few months back that Cantwell's stance on the war was hurting volunteer recruitment, a position he essentially retracted, though others continued to say was true.

The opposition was heard from today, too. Brian Walton, deputy press secretary of the National Republican Senatorial Committee said in by e-mail,

"A six year incumbent still trying to win over her own party isn't something you'd expect Cantwell to be excited about, and certainly won't bring an end to the booing she faces from her base on the campaign trail."

I think he may be wrong about the booing. From comments here and reading other blogs the past two days it seems many people are willing to use Wilson's move as a sign that, as Josh Feit at The Stranger said, "The war is over."

Other anti-war candidates will now try to take Wilson's place, including Democrat Hong Tran, Libertarian Bruce Guthrie and Green Aaron Dixon.