Byrd endorses Obama

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) announced Monday that he is supporting Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) even though his state voted overwhelming in favor of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) last week.

Byrd's endorsement is yet another sign that the long nomination battle between Clinton and Obama is nearing an end.

{mosads}The elder statesman, who is the longest-serving senator in history, is said to have been something of a mentor to Clinton when she got to the Senate in 2001.

Calling Obama a “noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian,” Byrd cited his and Obama’s shared opposition to the Iraq war as one reason for his endorsement, and he said he waited to endorse after the West Virginia primary on purpose.

“After a great deal of thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for Sen. Barack Obama for president,” Byrd said in a statement. “Both Sens. Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect.”