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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Obama gets Richardson endorsement | Obama gets Richardson endorsement |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Democratic US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has been endorsed by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, himself a former candidate. | Democratic US presidential hopeful Barack Obama has been endorsed by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, himself a former candidate. |
| At a rally in Oregon, he praised a speech Mr Obama gave earlier this week on the issue of racial divisions. | At a rally in Oregon, he praised a speech Mr Obama gave earlier this week on the issue of racial divisions. |
| It comes after footage of controversial comments made by Mr Obama's pastor threatened to damage his campaign. | It comes after footage of controversial comments made by Mr Obama's pastor threatened to damage his campaign. |
| Both Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton had sought the backing of Mr Richardson, the only Hispanic US governor. | |
| "You are a once-in-a-lifetime leader," Mr Richardson told Mr Obama at the rally. "Above all, you will be a president who brings this nation together." | |
| He also said that Mr Obama's speech on race was the beginning of a new dialogue. | |
| "He understands that clearly by only bringing people together and by bridging our differences can we succeed together as Americans," Mr Richardson said. | |
| "His words are one of a courageous thoughtful leader who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after eight years of George W Bush, we desperately need that kind of leader." | "His words are one of a courageous thoughtful leader who understands that a house divided against itself cannot stand. And, after eight years of George W Bush, we desperately need that kind of leader." |
| In a statement quoted by the Associated Press he also praised Mrs Clinton as a "distinguished leader with vast experience". | In a statement quoted by the Associated Press he also praised Mrs Clinton as a "distinguished leader with vast experience". |
| The New Mexico governor served under President Bill Clinton as his energy secretary and ambassador to the UN. | The New Mexico governor served under President Bill Clinton as his energy secretary and ambassador to the UN. |
| He had long been tipped as a presidential contender, so it was not a surprise when he announced his candidacy in 2007. | He had long been tipped as a presidential contender, so it was not a surprise when he announced his candidacy in 2007. |
| After disappointing fourth-place finishes in both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary, however, he dropped out of the race. | After disappointing fourth-place finishes in both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary, however, he dropped out of the race. |
| Earlier this month Mr Richardson hinted at a possible Obama endorsement and revealed how the Illinois senator had helped him out during one of the candidates' televised debates. | Earlier this month Mr Richardson hinted at a possible Obama endorsement and revealed how the Illinois senator had helped him out during one of the candidates' televised debates. |
| Mr Richardson had not been concentrating during the debate and had consequently been unable to answer a question, when Mr Obama whispered to him the subject under discussion, allowing Mr Richardson to give a response without betraying his confusion. | Mr Richardson had not been concentrating during the debate and had consequently been unable to answer a question, when Mr Obama whispered to him the subject under discussion, allowing Mr Richardson to give a response without betraying his confusion. |