Edwards endorsement provides Obama 4 more delegates

Washington (AP) John Edwards' endorsement is beginning to pay dividends for Barack Obama.

Obama has picked up four of Edwards' delegates. He's also gained the backing of another superdelegate and another big union endorsement.

The fresh support brings Obama's delegate total to just 134 shy of the total he needs to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination.

Edwards won 19 delegates in three states before he dropped his own White House bid in January. Those delegates are free to support whoever they want, but several have said Edwards' endorsement is important to their decision.

In addition, Congressman James McDermott of Washington state has endorsed Obama, saying "now is the time" for the party to unite behind him.

The United Steelworkers Union also announced it would now support Obama. The union has 600,000 active members.

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