Officials from Obama's Cabinet lining up behind Clinton

With Obama's endorsement out of reach for now, Clinton's presidential campaign has racked up support from his administration's top officials.

Obama administration officials are hardly the flashiest of endorsements, and his Cabinet hasn't produced lots of household names.

[...] each helps reach some important group — African Americans, Latinos, labor, Iowans — and Clinton need every bit of electoral help she can get.

White House officials say they have not offered any formal guidance to Cabinet members who have decided to wade into the race before the boss, only that they give the White House a courtesy heads up before they go public with their support.

Officials are told not to trade on their office for political purposes or use their official titles at events.

Vice President Al Gore relied on several current and former Cabinet secretaries in 2000 to serve as advisers as well as critics of his opponent, Republican George W. Bush.

[...] as Clinton and Sanders compete for die-hard Democrats, association with the Obama administration remains a net plus.