Marc Fisher reports that Ward 8 Council member Marion Barry plans to endorse Sen. Barack Obama in next week’s Democratic presidential primary. The controversial “mayor for life” had been a longtime supporter of President Bill Clinton, but told Fisher that he has concluded that Sen. Hillary Clinton represents older and less flexible forces in the Democratic party.

The City Paper’s Mike DeBonis (aka Loose Lips) provides a handy roundup of endorsements so far by city officials. Other Obama supporters include Mayor Adrian Fenty, Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser, Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells and Ward 7 Council member Yvette Alexander. In the Clinton camp are Ward 1 Council member Jim Graham, Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans, Ward 3 Council member Mary Cheh and Ward 5 Council member Harry Thomas Jr.

How influential is the Barry endorsement? The former mayor did endorse Adrian Fenty over the Anthony Williams-approved Linda Cropp in the last mayoral election — though obviously, it’s impossible to tell how much of a role, if at all, the endorsement played in Fenty’s victory. Still, despite his obvious flaws, Barry remains rather popular in Ward 8, and we predict his endorsement will only help ensure the District’s delegates go to Obama.

Photo by Kyle Gustafson