JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Tonight, Attorney General Jay Nixon, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and Missouri Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti announced their endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama for President. Sen. Obama, the superdelegates said, is the best candidate to bring about the change that Missouri and America needs.

The superdelegates released the following statements:

Attorney General Jay Nixon: “Over the past few months, Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton have inspired and energized Americans from all walks of life. Across the nation, and here in Missouri, there is a level of excitement and hope that I haven’t seen in many years.

“Sen. Clinton ran a strong campaign and she empowered millions of Americans to reach for their dreams. But after eight years of George W. Bush, Sen. Obama is the right candidate to bring about the change our country so badly needs.

“Missourians are ready for a new direction, both for our state and the nation at large. Families are struggling to make ends meet, and they’re looking for new leaders, with new priorities, to move us forward. Just like Missourians don’t want four more years of Matt Blunt’s policies at the state level, they don’t want four more years of George W. Bush’s policies at the national level.

“Democrats are already uniting behind Sen. Obama, and over the coming weeks, I expect to see many Independents and Republicans unite behind him as well. I look forward to joining Sen. Obama on the campaign trail this fall as we fight to change the direction Missouri and the nation.”

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan: “As Missouri’s chief elections official, it is my job to ensure that every eligible voter has the chance to have their voice heard at the polls. As of tonight, voters in the final two states have done just that.

“Barack Obama has secured the requisite number of delegates to become the nominee of the Democratic Party. He has my complete support and will receive my vote at the Convention.

“With the many challenges facing our country – from the high cost of health care and the fragile state of our economy to the war in Iraq and global warming – it is clear that we need a dramatic change in leadership. Both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama are extraordinary leaders with a passion for change and clarity of purpose that will serve our country well. It is my hope that in the days ahead both the Senators and their supporters can join together in achieving that common purpose.”

Missouri Democratic Party Chairman John Temporiti: “It now appears that Senator Barack Obama has the delegates necessary to win the Democratic nomination.

“I want to commend both he and Senator Clinton for running an issue based primary that has energized Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike. As Missouri Democratic Party Chairman, I now urge all Americans to unite behind Senator Obama’s campaign and the ideals he has promulgated these past months. Not since John F. Kennedy have I witnessed a candidate that has energized and captivated the American people, especially our young voters, like Barack Obama has.

“The election this November will quite simply come down to whether the American people deserve change or more of the same. It will be a privilege for me to cast a vote at the Democratic National Convention for Barack Obama as our next President of the United States.”

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