Obama wins key endorsement in White House race

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Democrat Barack Obama's presidential hopes won a much-needed boost Friday with the endorsement of Hispanic governor Bill Richardson, a long-time member of the Clinton administration.

The announcement from Richardson, a former rival in the White House race, came as Obama grappled with a row over incendiary racial remarks by his former pastor that polls showed cost him support in his race against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party's nomination.

The move is a double victory for the Illinois senator, bringing on board the only Hispanic governor in the United States, who could help woo Latino voters, and an influential Democrat with well-known ties to the Clinton family.

Richardson served as energy secretary and UN ambassador in the...