Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama accepted the endorsement Friday of Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman, the first black mayor of the nation's 15th largest city. "He has the optimism and the ability to get things done," Coleman said told a youthful crowd at a rally. Obama praised Coleman as a "trailblazer who has made Columbus a model for cities across the country."

"Whether it's by promoting sustainability through his Get Green initiative or creating jobs and keeping a balanced budget even as Ohio faced a tough economic climate, Mayor Coleman has built coalitions and united Democrats and Republicans to get things done," Obama said in excerpts of his remarks released later by his campaign.

Two other Democratic mayors of large cities, Richard M. Daley of Chicago and Adrian M. Fenty of Washington, also have endorsed Obama.

Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton has garnered endorsements from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Boston Mayor Tom Menino and Philadelphia Mayor John Street. Rival Bill Richardson, the governor of New Mexico, has been endorsed by Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

Written By STEPHEN MAJORS