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Edwards endorses Obama in US race Edwards endorses Obama in US race
(10 minutes later)
Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama has been endorsed by his former rival John Edwards.Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama has been endorsed by his former rival John Edwards.
Mr Edwards, who was John Kerry's running-mate in the 2004 presidential race, had been one of the few senior Democrats yet to endorse a candidate.Mr Edwards, who was John Kerry's running-mate in the 2004 presidential race, had been one of the few senior Democrats yet to endorse a candidate.
Correspondents say his endorsement will damage Mr Obama's one remaining rival, Senator Hillary Clinton.Correspondents say his endorsement will damage Mr Obama's one remaining rival, Senator Hillary Clinton.
The announcement comes a day after Mrs Clinton won the party's primary in West Virginia by a wide margin.The announcement comes a day after Mrs Clinton won the party's primary in West Virginia by a wide margin.
Mr Edwards made his endorsement in a speech alongside the Illinois senator at a rally in Michigan, although he also praised Mrs Clinton.Mr Edwards made his endorsement in a speech alongside the Illinois senator at a rally in Michigan, although he also praised Mrs Clinton.
"The Democratic voters in America have made their choice and so have I," he told a crowd of cheering supporters.
"There is one man who knows and understands that this is a time for bold leadership...there is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two - and that man is Barack Obama."
Earlier in the speech he paid tribute to Hillary Clinton's tenacity, strength and determination and said she cared deeply about the working people of America.
Analysts say Senator Obama's campaign team will be hoping that Mr Edward's endorsement will bring with it his supporters among white working-class voters.
A former North Carolina senator, Mr Edwards dropped out of the presidential race in late January.A former North Carolina senator, Mr Edwards dropped out of the presidential race in late January.
Immediately afterwards both Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama actively sought his influential endorsement.Immediately afterwards both Mrs Clinton and Mr Obama actively sought his influential endorsement.
'Tricky case''Tricky case'
So far in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr Obama has won more of the delegates who will choose the party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention this summer.So far in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Mr Obama has won more of the delegates who will choose the party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention this summer.
He has also raised more money than Mrs Clinton.He has also raised more money than Mrs Clinton.
The Clinton campaign has been hoping that she could pick up more endorsements than Mr Obama from the so-called "super-delegates", who get an automatic vote at the convention by virtue of holding a senior position in the party.The Clinton campaign has been hoping that she could pick up more endorsements than Mr Obama from the so-called "super-delegates", who get an automatic vote at the convention by virtue of holding a senior position in the party.
The BBC's Justin Webb says that with Mr Edwards's high-profile endorsement, Mrs Clinton's already difficult case has just become even trickier to make.The BBC's Justin Webb says that with Mr Edwards's high-profile endorsement, Mrs Clinton's already difficult case has just become even trickier to make.
According to a tally by the Associated Press, Barack Obama has a total of 1,887 delegates, leaving him just 139 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to clinch the nomination, while Hillary Clinton has 1,718 delegates.According to a tally by the Associated Press, Barack Obama has a total of 1,887 delegates, leaving him just 139 delegates short of the 2,026 needed to clinch the nomination, while Hillary Clinton has 1,718 delegates.