Way to go out on a limb.

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president on Wednesday.

In a prepared statement, Cardin said he had tremendous respect for both Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, but he said Obama would -- in his words -- "change the direction of our nation and return us to a time of hope, renewal, and prosperity."

"I'm proud to support him," Cardin said at Democratic National Committee headquarters. "I am convinced the American people want a change."