Obama, Clinton campaigns boast of big endorsements

AUSTIN (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama pulled in a big endorsement in the superdelegate race with Monday's announcement of support by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco.

"I believe Senator Obama can bring about real change in Washington — change that will make a positive difference for average working Americans struggling to keep up with the high costs of health care, gasoline and education," Edwards said.

Edwards' district includes President Bush's Crawford ranch. He is chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

Until Monday he had been uncommitted as a superdelegate.

"Representative Edwards is a strong advocate for our men and women in uniform and I'm honored to have his support," Obama said in a prepared statement.

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MEXICAN AMERICAN DEMOCRATS

Sen. Barack Obama has won the coveted endorsement of the Mexican American Democrats, the oldest Hispanic group among Texas Democrats.

In announcing its weekend decision, the Democratic group cited Obama's long-standing relationship with Hispanic community and commitment to improving the lives of Hispanics.

"The Mexican American community needs more that just Spanish-speaking candidates trying to get the Hispanic vote. We need candidates who are committed to improve the lives of Latino men, women and children whether citizens, legal residents or undocumented by writing polices that work for us," said John Lopez, chairman of the group's endorsing committee.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has been counting on the Hispanic vote in Texas, campaigning in predominantly Hispanic regions and playing up her work 36 years ago registering Hispanic voters in Texas.

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AND ON THE CLINTON SIDE ...

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has picked up support from another longtime Texas Democrat, former Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox.

"In Texas we have a phrase, 'She's earned her spurs.' Hillary has spent more than 35 years earning her spurs and she is the best leader for our country," Mattox said in a prepared statement Monday.

He praised her work for universal health care and legislation to protect veterans. Mattox helped introduce former President Bill Clinton at a rally Saturday night in Austin for Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Also with Mattox that night in support of Clinton were former Texas Supreme Court justice Bob Gammage, state Rep. Valinda Bolton of Austin and Cathy Bonner, a former aide to the late Gov. Ann Richards and a leader of a major cancer research proposition Texas voters approved in November.

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Compiled by Political Writer Kelley Shannon.