Biden racks up endorsements as Sanders goes on the attack in US presidential race

Two former presidential rivals endorsed Joe Biden on March 6 in the latest sign that the Democratic establishment is coalescing around the former vice president to stop the candidacy of Bernie Sanders, who ratcheted up attacks on his rival ahead of crucial contests next week.

Former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and John Delaney, a former Maryland congressman - both onetime 2020 candidates - backed Biden, as did a slew of other Democratic officials in states soon to hold nominating contests.

Sanders, who is desperate to regain some momentum after Biden's strong 'Super Tuesday' showing this week, launched a full-throated attack on his rival, assailing Biden over his record on trade, abortion, gay rights and Social Security.

The pair contest six Democratic nominating contests on March 3, including the big prize of Michigan, with 125 of the 1,991 delegates needed to win the nomination at stake.

Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont who was until recently the front-runner in the party's race to face Republican President Donald Trump in November, now trails in delegates. A big win for Biden in Michigan would deliver another major blow to Sanders' hopes of becoming the nominee.

Ahead of Michigan's primary, the state's lieutenant governor, Garlin Gilchrist II, backed Biden, as did part of the state's United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and former U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

Four other states will hold primary elections on March 3: Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri and Washington state. North Dakota will hold caucuses.

At a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 6, Sanders dug deep into Biden's 40-year record. He criticized Biden for having opposed the rights of gay people to serve in the U.S. military and for...