The message I posted to start off is the message.

I added this for a test and it shows me the value when I hover now. Does the message show up because I have not 'used' the variable yet? Is this an IDE issue?
Code:
                    String YTD1Month = MonthDate(DateRangeEnd, -1);
                    if (YTD1Month != "")
                    {
                        YTD1Month = "2012/11/01";
                    }