Weld announces support of Obama

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld said in a statement Friday that he is supporting Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama's White House bid.

Calling the Obama, D-Ill., a "once-in-a-lifetime candidate," Weld, a Republican, said Obama is the best candidate to help maintain the United States' standing in the international community, ABC News reported.

"Senator Obama is a once-in-a-lifetime candidate who will transform our politics and restore America's standing in the world," the former governor said. "We need a president who will lead based on our common values and Senator Obama demonstrates an ability to unite and inspire."

While Weld has plans to formally announce his support of the Democratic candidate Friday in New Hampshire, conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer has officially announced which candidate he is backing in the general election.

"Contrarian that I am, I'm voting for John McCain," ABC News quoted Krauthammer as writing. "I'm not talking about bucking the polls or the media consensus that it's over before it's over. I'm talking about bucking the rush of wet-fingered conservatives leaping to Barack Obama before they're left out in the cold without a single state dinner for the next four years."