Washington, Mar 22: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson while endorsing Barack Obama candidature in the Democratic presidential race, has suggested that Hillary Clinton should drop out because a primary-election lawsuit had made it tougher for her to secure the party's nomination.

The one-time candidate's endorsement helped Obama at the end of a difficult week, giving him the support of another former Clinton Administration official who also is a super delegate and a high-profile Hispanic.

"You will be an outstanding Commander-in-Chief," Richardson told the Illinois senator at a rally in Portland, Ore., on Friday.

"Above all, you will be a President who brings this nation together," he added.

The former Energy Secretary and US Ambassador to the United Nations during President Clinton's Administration also said in an e-mail to his supporters that it may be time for Hillary to get out of the race.

"My affection and admiration for Hillary Clinton and President Bill Clinton will never waver," he said.

"It is time, however, for Democrats to stop fighting amongst ourselves and to prepare for the tough fight we will face against John McCain in the fall," the Washington Times quoted Richardson, as saying.

Hillary, who had been benefiting in polls from the controversy swirling around racially charged comments by Obama's pastor, suffered an additional setback on Friday, when a federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit against the Democratic National Committee (DNC) over the party's decision to strip Florida of its delegates.

Hillary won in Florida, and has been pressuring the national party to reinstate Florida's delegates. (ANI)