With Clinton out, Baldacci shifts support to Obama

Following the suspension of the [presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Gov. John Baldacci (D-Bangor) threw his support behind U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), who secured enough delegate support last week to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Baldacci had previously endorsed Clinton in her race to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

The governor's office released the following statement on Saturday:

"Today I also offer my full support to Sen. Barack Obama for president of the United States. Sen. Obama has proven himself through a competitive primary against a slate of terrific candidates. Today, the Democratic Party is united.

"It's been a long eight years of the Bush administration. We've gone from peace and prosperity to war and economic turmoil. Sen. Obama has demonstrated the leadership necessary to put us back on the right track.

"Sen. (Hillary) Clinton and I have been friends for more than 15 years. She 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."