Obama picks ups 3 superdelegates, union endorsement

"After careful consideration, I have reached the conclusion that Barack Obama can best bring about the change that our country so desperately wants and needs," Payne told The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J. It was "one of the most difficult decisions I have made," Payne said. "I've really been mulling it over for quite a while."

Obama's endorsements from superdelegates has picked up sharply since Tuesday, when he soundly defeated Clinton in North Carolina's primary and held her to a narrow victory in Indiana.

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Associated Press Writers Jesse Holland and Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report.