U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd endorsed Barack Obama for president on Monday, saying the Illinois senator is the best choice to get the United States out of the war in Iraq.

"As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush administration's misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe," Byrd said in a statement.

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history."

Byrd's endorsement came less than a week after Obama's opponent in the Democratic presidential primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., soundly defeated Obama in the West Virginia primary, 67 percent to 26 percent.

"Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect," Byrd said.

Clinton referred to Byrd in her victory speech in Charleston a week ago. "I don't know if any man has loved a state more than Robert C. Byrd loves West Virginia," she said.

Obama spoke at West Virginia's annual Democratic Party dinner in 2006, in the midst of Byrd's latest re-election campaign. At the time, he called Byrd a "dear friend."

Byrd, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, said Monday he didn't want to make an endorsement before West Virginia's primary.

"I had no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be higher," he said.

U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd endorsed Barack Obama for president on Monday, saying the Illinois senator is the best choice to get the United States out of the war in Iraq.

"As people all across this great nation know, I have been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Bush administration's misguided war in Iraq and its saber rattling around the globe," Byrd said in a statement.

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history."

Byrd's endorsement came less than a week after Obama's opponent in the Democratic presidential primary, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., soundly defeated Obama in the West Virginia primary, 67 percent to 26 percent.

"Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect," Byrd said.

Clinton referred to Byrd in her victory speech in Charleston a week ago. "I don't know if any man has loved a state more than Robert C. Byrd loves West Virginia," she said.

Obama spoke at West Virginia's annual Democratic Party dinner in 2006, in the midst of Byrd's latest re-election campaign. At the time, he called Byrd a "dear friend."

Byrd, the longest-serving senator in U.S. history, said Monday he didn't want to make an endorsement before West Virginia's primary.

"I had no intention of involving myself in the Democratic campaign for President in the midst of West Virginia's primary election. But the stakes this November could not be higher," he said.

Two other Democratic members of Congress from West Virginia, Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Nick Rahall, endorsed Obama in March. U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, Gov. Joe Manchin and state Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey have yet to endorse either candidate.

"I am glad to have the good and sage company of Sen. Byrd within the circle of superdelegates who have now voiced their support for Barack Obama," Rahall said Monday.

"Like our senior senator, I believe that Barack Obama offers the voters the clearest choice for ending the Iraq war. As always, Senator Byrd's voice of experience and reason is a guiding light for us all."

Three other superdelegates - delegates to the Democratic National Convention who can vote for whomever they want - from West Virginia have endorsed Clinton.

Obama is trying to become the nation's first black president. Byrd was briefly a member of the Ku Klux Klan in his youth, and voted against landmark civil rights legislation in the 1960s. He has said in recent years that he regrets his earlier stance on racial issues.

Besides Byrd, four other superdelegates pledged their support to Obama on Monday. According to the Obama campaign Web site, he needs 112 more delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination. He and Clinton should each gain some delegates when Kentucky and Oregon hold their primaries today.

A Gallup poll conducted among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters over the weekend showed Obama with his largest lead of the year over Clinton, 55 percent to 39 percent.

Byrd said the ongoing Democratic Party's "primary campaign has been tough and competitive.

"With the Bush administration's latest request to fund this ongoing war in Iraq without any attempt to start bringing our troops home, the issue of the upcoming presidential contest has been weighing heavily on my heart," he said. "Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.