The Associated Press

Fri, May 9, 2008 (5:43 a.m.)

The president of the American Federation of Government Employees says the influential union is endorsing Democrat Barack Obama for president.

AFGE President John Gage _ a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention _ says he will also personally back Obama. The union endorsement gives the Illinois senator fresh momentum toward capturing the nomination.

Gage said Friday the endorsement was a recognition of the enthusiasm and vitality behind the Illinois senator's campaign.

Obama's candidacy has been picking steam since Tuesday, when he won the North Carolina primary and held rival Hillary Rodham Clinton to a narrow victory in Indiana.