Edwards backs Obama's presidential bid

NEW YORK - Former US presidential candidate John Edwards endorsed Senator Barack Obama on Wednesday in an effort to transfer his appeal among white, working-class voters to the Democratic front-runner who has struggled to win them over.

Obama's campaign hopes the endorsement, late in the process, will help buttress the aura of inevitability of his quest for his party's nomination. It also served as a strong counterpoint to the contention by Senator Hillary Clinton that Obama's weakness among blue-collar workers could cripple his effort in November's presidential election.

While the value of any endorsement is always subject to scrutiny, both candidates had aggressively sought support from Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential nominee in 2004 and a favourite among union voters.

The two one-time rivals stood together on a stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Edwards praised Mrs. Clinton before explaining his decision to back Obama.