Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051655361400.htm

International

Edwards backs Obama

WASHINGTON: Barack Obama secured a long-sought-after endorsement from rival John Edwards, a blow to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s long-shot bid to salvage her campaign as top Democrats coalesced around the party’s likely presidential nominee.

The announcement came a day after Ms. Clinton sought to convince top Democrats that her 2-1 victory over Mr. Obama in West Virginia was evidence that her campaign still had signs of life despite Mr. Obama’s delegate lead. Mr. Edwards, who had based much of his candidacy on supporting the working-class voters that Ms. Clinton has been capturing, made an appearance with Mr. Obama in Michigan, a critical state. — AP