Baldacci endorses Obama for president

AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci on Saturday endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.

Maine’s governor made his announcement after Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton ended her campaign for the presidency and told supporters to unite behind Obama. Baldacci previously endorsed Clinton.

After the party’s state convention last weekend, the breakdown of Maine’s delegates and superdelegates to the Democratic National Convention was Obama 22 to Clinton’s 10. Baldacci’s announcement throws another delegate in Obama’s column.

In a written statement, Baldacci said Clinton “ran a strong campaign and broke down barriers against long odds. The country is better for her efforts. Now it is time for all of us to work together to put Barack Obama in the White House.”