Governor Bill Richardson Endorses Barack Obama

Barack Obama received an endorsement from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for president, calling him a leader who can unite the nation and restore America's international leadership.

"I believe he is the kind of once in a lifetime leader that can bring our nation together and restore America's moral leadership in the world," said Richardson. "As a presidential candidate, I know full well Senator Obama's unique moral ability to inspire the American people to confront our urgent challenges at home and abroad in a spirit of bipartisanship and reconciliation."

Bill Richardson, who dropped out of the Democratic race in January, is to appear with Obama on Friday at a campaign event in Portland, Oregon.

The governor's endorsement comes as Obama leads among delegates selected at primaries and caucuses but with national public opinion polling showing Senator Hillary Clinton pulling ahead of him amid controversy over statements by his former pastor.

Despite his ties to Clinton, Richardson backed Obama which plays a part in the tight race for nominating votes and could instantly bring other superdelegates to Obama's side. He also has been mentioned as a potential running mate for either candidate.

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No primaries are scheduled until Pennsylvania's on April 22, a gap in time Obama hopes to use for such announcements to assert that he is the front-runner for the nomination.

Richardson, the nation's only Hispanic governor, could improve Obama's support among Hispanics, who are the nation's largest and fastest-growing minority.

Hillary Clinton has been the favorite of Hispanics in primaries and caucuses, according to exit polls. She won the New Mexico caucus in early February with a nearly 2-to-1 advantage among Hispanics.

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