Present and former leaders of the Maine Legislature are pledging their support for Barack Obama, who will become the Democrats' nominee for president this week.

Senate President Beth Edmonds (D-Freeport) and House Speaker Glenn Cummings (D-Portland) were joined Tuesday in their endorsements by 13 former House and Senate presiding officers. Edmonds is a former Hillary Rodham Clinton supporter.

The endorsements come as Democrats try to bring the Obama and Clinton factions together before the end of the Democratic National Convention.

The other former leaders who are uniting behind Obama include Mike Michaud, Maine's 2nd District congressman who formerly supported John Edwards.

Meanwhile, Maine Republican Party Chair Mark Ellis released a statement saying Obama's not ready to lead.