The Associated Press

Thu, May 15, 2008 (9:17 a.m.)

Barack Obama collected the support of four of John Edwards' Democratic National Convention delegates on Thursday, then gained the backing of a West Coast congressman and a large labor union as he marched steadily toward the party's presidential nomination.

The fresh support brought Obama's overall delegate total to 1,892, compared to 1718 for his rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton. It takes 2,026 to clinch the nomination at the party convention in Denver this summer.

Edwards, who bestowed his long-sought endorsement on Obama on Wednesday, won 19 delegates before departing the presidential race in January.

Within hours, Obama picked up the backing of three of them from South Carolina and one in New Hampshire.

In addition, Rep. James McDermott, a superdelegate, endorsed Obama. "I believe now is the time to unite behind Barack Obama so we can be in the strongest place possible to win in November," he said.

Edwards also had been backed by the United Steelworkers Union, which announced it would now support Obama. The union has 600,000 active members.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Barack Obama picked up four of John Edwards' 19 delegates as the former rival's endorsement began to pay off.

Edwards endorsed Obama on Wednesday night. Hours later, some of Edwards' delegates followed suit, adding to Obama's growing lead in delegates needed to win the nomination. Obama is now just 135 delegates shy of the number needed to clinch.

Edwards won 19 delegates in three states before dropping out of the race in January. They are now free to support whomever they want, regardless of Edwards' endorsement. Several, however, said the endorsement is important to their decision.

Obama picked up three delegates in South Carolina and one in New Hampshire, both states that held their primaries in January.