Obama courts Edwards' endorsement

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama is courting his formal rival John Edwards for his endorsement, a report said.

The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported Monday that the Illinois senator met with Edwards on Sunday near Chapel Hill, N.C.

"Senator Obama visited this morning with John and Elizabeth Edwards at their home in Chapel Hill to discuss the state of the campaign and the pressing issues facing America families," Obama spokesman Dan Burton said in a statement.

Obama's rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., met with Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, earlier this month.

Edwards,the 2004 vice-presidential nominee, exited the race for the Democratic presidential nomination last month. At the time, Edwards declined to endorse a candidate.

Now, Obama and Clinton are seeking Edwards' nod given their tight race for delegates to clinch the party nomination.

Before bowing out of the race, Edwards won 26 delegates in Iowa and New Hampshire.