Washington Gov. Backs Obama, While Clinton Trumpets Endorsements In New Spot

In advance of Saturday's caucuses, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire has endorsed Barack Obama.

"We must restore hope in America," she said. "We must put an end to politics of division - by gender, race, and faith. Barack Obama has a unique ability to reach across all the artificial divides and divisions to move our nation forward. At a time of great division in our country, we need a leader who will unite us. Barack Obama is that kind of leader."

Both Washington senators, on the other hand, have endorsed rival Hillary Clinton – something the Clinton campaign trumpets in an ad now running in the state.

"Now, she's the only candidate for president -- Democrat or Republican -- with a plan to provide health care for every American," an announcer says in the spot. "Just one reason why she's earned the support of Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell."

80 delegates are up for grabs in Washington, along with 17 (increasingly important) superdelegates, of which Gregoire is one. CBS News now estimates that Clinton leads Obama 1,075 delegates to 1,014, with 2,025 needed to secure the nomination.

Former Democratic state party chair Paul Berendt says Washington State, where both senators are campaigning today, "is the home of independent, cranky, edgy Democratic liberalism." Obama, who does well in caucuses, is considered the favorite in the contest.