Just got off a conference call with state Sens. Wes Shoemyer, D-Clarence, and Tim Green, D-Spanish Lake and Ryan McKenna, D-Jefferson County, and state Rep. Tony George, D-Florissant.

All four had been supporters of former Sen. John Edwards’ bid for president. All four announced this afternoon that, with Edwards out, they’re now endorsing Barack Obama.

All four cited Obama’s broad multi-ethnic, multi-racial support, and made note of his strong support among young would-be voters.

Fourteen years ago, some Democratic leaders from Shoemyer’s corner of the state had told the Post-Dispatch that neither they nor many of their constituents could support Alan Wheat,  an African-American who was that year (1994) the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate.

But Shoemyer said today that “times have changed,” and that he doesn’t see a similar fate befalling Obama.  The credit goes to Obama, he and McKenna said, because of his broad message.

“He has presented himself for all Americans,” Shoemyer said.

Shoemyer previously has asserted that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (who led in the latest Post-Dispatch poll among Democrats) is a divisive Democrat who will hurt outstate Democratic candidates who share the ticket. He said he continues to hold that view.