Biden, Richardson may give Obama second-choice support

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., may get a boost from second-tier candidates, who are reportedly considering instructing their supporters to back Obama as their second choice.

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson are both considering the move, according to a report in the Huffington Post.  At the caucuses, candidates must reach a threshold level of support to qualify for delegates at the precinct level.  In caucuses where Biden or Richardson fail to meet that level, their supporters’ votes could help boost Obama in a narrow, three-way race.

According to an unnamed Biden official quoted in the article, Biden is leaning toward supporting Obama because Biden is “more inline with [Obama's] vision of foreign policy than any of the other candidates, and besides, we like him and how he’s run his campaign.”

Asked if Biden was looking for a possible appointment to Secretary of State by Obama, the official said, “Well, Joe would make a great Secretary of State, wouldn’t he?”