Obama gets Richardson endorsement, Rice apology

By Matthew Bigg

PORTLAND, Ore. (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama received a coveted endorsement on Friday from New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and an apology from the State Department after three of its workers snooped in his passport files.

Richardson's decision is a blow to Obama's rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, who had sought his backing in part because the Hispanic politician could garner support among Hispanics, who could be a key voting bloc in the Nov. 4 election.

The two men were expected to appear together at 9:30 a.m. local time (1630 GMT) rally in Portland, Oregon, as Obama, an Illinois senator who would be the first black president, campaigns in the state ahead of its May 20 primary.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she called Obama to apologize for the unauthorized access to his computerized passport file by three department contract workers, two of whom were fired over the incidents.

"I told him that I was sorry and I told him that I myself would be very disturbed if I learned that somebody had looked into my passport file and therefore, I will stay on top of it and get to the bottom of it," Rice told reporters.

The department is investigating the actions of the three -- who officials said appeared to act independently and without any political motive -- and contacted the Justice Department about the probe as a precaution in case any laws were broken.

In addition, the State Department said it was looking into whether there had been any improper access to the passport files of Clinton, a New York senator, and the presumptive Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

The incident is an embarrassment to the Bush administration and revived memories of the controversy that erupted in 1992 after State Department officials searched former President Bill Clinton's passport and citizenship files when he was the Democratic presidential candidate.