[img_assist|nid=2525|title=Sen. Barack Obama and then House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer|desc=In Feb. 2006|link=none|align=left|width=420|height=256]Yesterday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Mechanicsville) joined the other members of the Democrats' congressional leadership in endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president.

"Senator Obama will be our next president because his appeal to our best selves and his determination to lead our nation in a new direction have resonated with voters across the nation and across the political spectrum," he said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Hoyer recognized that Obama "is the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, and I look forward to supporting his candidacy," but stopped short of a full endorsement.

In his endorsement, Hoyer also attempted to draw a contrast between the Democrat and Republican rival John McCain, referencing their two speeches this past Tuesday night.

"One candidate offered a warmed-over selection of Bush policies to a listless audience and a scattering of applause," he said. "Another stood in the midst of thousands of cheering citizens, calling on us to "remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves and our highest ideals." It is clear which one of those two men will be our next president - Barack Obama - and I am very pleased and proud that he will be our Democratic standard-bearer in November."