Governor Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

According to the Associated Press, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced his support for Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.

The nation's only Hispanic governor joined Obama Friday at a rally in Oregon to publicize his official endorsement.

"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," Richardson said. "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."

Richardson supported Obama despite his close ties with Bill and Hillary Clinton, according to AP. Richardson served as a U.N. ambassador and as secretary of the Energy Department during the Clinton administration. The New Mexico Governor was even reported to have watched the Super Bowl with former President Clinton, just last month. Obama said he was "deeply honored" to have Richardson's support.