Mayor: 'Obama is inspiring'

As he prepares to shift his campaign help to Sen. Barack Obama, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters on Thursday that he felt inspired by Obama. Rachel Uranga reporting for the Daily News.
"He is inspiring," Villaraigosa said at a news conference. "I think he clearly touched a chord with the American people when he talked about a need for change. I look forward to doing what I can."
Villaraigosa said he has had private conversations with Obama, but would not disclose the details.
"I have made it very clear that as the presumptive nominee of our party, I will be campaigning for Sen. Obama," said Villaraigosa, who endorsed Clinton early in the campaign and served as one of her national co-chairs.
"I was proud to have supported Sen. Clinton in her effort. I have never been involved in a presidential campaign where I have seen anyone with the passion and persistence and intestinal fortitude of Hillary Clinton and I was proud to be associated with that campaign.
"But now that Sen. Obama is the presumptive nominee, I have said for a long time that I am prepared to work as hard for him as I have for Sen. Clinton."
The mayor said it is unclear what role he will play at the national convention in August.
"I have spoken at two conventions now and I am not focused on that, I am focused on winning back the White House and changing the course of our foreign policy and domestic policy."