Senator Leahy To Clinton: Drop Out

** NEW UPDATES BELOW **

Obama-backing Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) has become among the most senior Democrats to explicitly call for Sen. Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race:

In an interview on Vermont Public Radio, said "There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough delegates to get the nomination. She ought to withdraw and she ought to be backing Senator Obama. Now, obviously that's a decision that only she can make frankly I feel that she would have a tremendous career in the Senate."

Leahy said he was fretting about the impact of the protracted Democratic race.

"I am very concerned," he said. "John McCain, who has been making one gaffe after another, is getting a free ride on it because Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have to fight with each other. I think that her criticism is hurting him more than anything John McCain has said. I think that's unfortunate."

UPDATE: Leahy has released a new statement phrasing the issue in a softer tone (and without a call for Clinton to drop out):

Any clear-eyed appraisal of the campaign at this stage adds up to two conclusions:

The bottom line is that, first, Senator Obama continues to hold a lead that appears to be insurmountable, and recent indications are that more and more unpledged delegates have begun to add their support to his column.

And second, John McCain, who has been making one mistake after another, is getting a free ride on those gaffes, because the Democratic candidates have to focus not on him but on each other.

Senator Casey's endorsement of Senator Obama in Pennsylvania is the latest sign of how the race is going.

Story continues below

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A Democratic victory in November is important to the future and to the change in course that the American people want and deserve. The last thing the American people need is for Senator McCain to continue a third term for President Bush.

Senator Clinton has every right, but not a very good reason, to remain a candidate for as long as she wants to. As far as the delegate count and the interests of a Democratic victory in November go, there is not a very good reason for drawing this out. But as I have said before, that is a decision that only she can make.

Senator Clinton has begun a tremendous career in the Senate, and she has a bright future ahead of her. She faces difficult decisions ahead, and I wish her the best.

Also, the Clinton campaign released statements from their top Pennsylvania supporters:

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell: 'To call for an end to this race before the people of Pennsylvania have had a chance to make their views known is wrong and a disservice to millions of Democrats.' "I respect Senator Leahy and like him very much but as the governor of one of America's largest states, I am disappointed in his comments. By virtually every measure, this race is neck and neck with less than 1% of the more than 27 million votes cast forming the difference between the two candidates. To call for an end to this race before the people of Pennsylvania have had a chance to make their views known is wrong and a disservice to millions of Democrats." [Statement from Gov. Ed Rendell, thepage.time.com, 3/28/08]

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter: 'What [Sen. Leahy's] proposing would be like calling a baseball game in the 7th inning. Let's play this out... I think it's important not only that our concerns be discussed, but that our voices be heard and our votes be counted. "While I appreciate the loyalty Senator Leahy feels to Senator Obama and the concern he may have about his candidate's ability to win, what he's proposing would be like calling a baseball game in the 7th inning. Let's play this out. We have yet to have a real discussion about the issues at stake in cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton and I think it's important not only that our concerns be discussed, but that our voices be heard and our votes be counted. That's democracy. There is no reason whatsoever to disenfranchise Philadelphians and deprive them of their right to participate in our democratic process." [Statement from Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, 3/28/08]

Comments

[AnninCA]

Good that people are speaking out. This is a terrible disservice to voters to use this strategy. But then, Obama sort of is showing how he's not fond of voters.

[Fasteddie1515]

The Clinton's were not fond of them until they started losing!

[mmpost]

It's amazing how you can say Obama is "not fond of voters" when Clinton is the one trying to circumvent all of the guidelines and rules for the nomination. All of the candidates signed an agreement not to campaign in FL and MI because the votes wouldn't count. Clinton was well aware of this. Now, her campaign is trying to change the rules.

She is the one trying to back door the voters by having the "super" delegates over rule the will of the pledged delegates. SHE is the one who is now trying to claim the states with the most electoral votes are the ones that matter most. This is the old way of thinking.

Each state that she lost, she tried to down play each as if they didn't matter. So for you to say Obama isn't fond of voters, he is trying to get EVERY vote because ALL votes count, not just the ones he won.

Now be honest here, do you think Obama would be trying to count the votes in FL and MI if he had won them?

I do agree the race should continue but the attacks need to quit. I think the party members are really trying to save Hillary from herself before she tarnishes her name forever and becomes known as the spoiler like Nader. I like that she is tough, but don't go after your teammate and at the same time, praising your mutual opponent. What sense does that make?

[mounthoodliberal]

...but the voters are more fond of him...he's ahead in the popular vote, number of states, and pledged delegates...

[Changeizgood]

Yeah, how'd Hill say it? Oh right: "Their not that important, we'll be finished on Feb 5th primaries"

Barack On Team America, We the People of the Blue Tsunami 0f 2006, arenot done yet!
We've only begun to fight.

[IAM4CLINTON]

Agreed- he does not want the voters from MI and FL- he has amassed the slim lead from caucus victories not primary election wins- the kids , barely legal who are bored show up at caucuses.

[sej100]

As a long time Democrat, I am now getting very angry at the party. When has a party ever been this biased that they would try to stop PEOPLE from airing their opinions, from casting a vote and now allowing 2 states NOT to air their views JUST to assist ONE candidate.

Sorry but right now, Mr Leahy has earned my utter disrespect.
And if party members are so afraid that Obama might not win all, perhaps they need to find another candidate. Either he wins on merits or he loses. If he cannot win BY ALLOWING ALL TO VOTE, he doesnt deserve the nod.

This is tantamount to cheating.

[Aleka]

Oh, you poor. deluded thing.

Listen. She is behind and she can't catch up. Let me repeat that, some of you seem to be deaf. SHE CAN'T CATCH UP.

Do not bitch about "democracy" and "voices being heard", you hypocrites. She has LOST by democracy. She can now only get the nod by OVERTURNING the democratic choice.

[bethinCary]

ummm...."tantamount to cheating"..

HRC signed the petition NOT to campaign in these states..so.....

(only when losing SC and 14 straight did she complain)

[afgail]

Let's be clear here as to what Leahy is really asking. He is asking Hillary to throw the election for Obama. The party elders want Hillary to drop out and my response to them is FY. They broke this nomination process and they own it. Hillary shouldn't fix their mistake by dropping out. Soldier on Hillary until the last vote is counted including Florida and Michigan!

[Aleka]

Yes, the 2nd place person almost always "throws" the contest to the winner. Imagine that.

[lostonechampion]

When FL and MI were DQ'd, noone even thought Obama would be a factor. Hillary was "inevitable", remember? So how the hell is that cheating?

Obama has just performed better working within the rules? If Hillary can't win within the defined rules, she just can win. Live with it.

This is NOT the big dance. This is just the warm-up. You are not supposed to blow out your ACL during warm-ups. That just ensures that you lose the main event. Hillary doesn't play well with others when she is not getting her way. She needs to be gone.

[afgail]

Why do Obama supporters continually demand that Hillary throw the election?

[deedrdo]

considering the fact that lehey and the current democratic congress hasn't been able to accomplish anything they were elected for, he's got a lot of damn gaul preaching to someone about what is good for the party. who died and elected him friggin hall monitor?
clinton and obama are in a virtual dead heat. this isn't lehey's call. or dodd's. or dean's. it's called a representative democracy not a lets do what a bunch of old bloated white men want democracy.

[robtomorrow]

Personally I would love to see Clinton drop out of the race, but I wouldn't see a problem with the race continuing if the Clinton camp would at lease stop the attacks, it's not the race that is hurting the Democrats chances in November it's the attacks and back biting coming from the Clintons. If both sides would just stick to the issues and focus their criticism on the McCain and the Republicans then there would not be a problem with this continuing until all states have voted.

[kevenseven]

Without the attacks Clinton would just sink into her swamp.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

You are right and I am glad somebody said it. But can Hillary live without attacks? I think Obama can.

[Aleka]

Yea, but she seems pretty obtuse. By now, she should have got the hint to tone it down, yet there was an article today about the latest attack on Obama - which was another complete and total smear/lie/mislead. She can't take the hint.

[Mommacarolyn]

You people need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid! Hillary is not making any attacks. Her campaign makes the attacks on Hillary's credibility. Copies her statements on the issues and then cries like whining babies that she is attacking them! Give me a break!! They are getting all the biased reporting of the MSM and they still can't stop whining. Hillary talks about the issues. Obama's camp whines.

[AnninCA]

Why do you think that? The only thing that's hurting Obama is Wright, and that's his misstep, not about the campaign.

[JimSwia]

Why would anyone want Hillary to drop out when there are a multitude of states that have yet to make there opinions known? When Barack Hussein Obama's people call for an early end to the primaries , the prognosis is that they are either afraid of the outcome (as well as Michigan's and Florida's voters), or the Obama people have no respect for the citizens of the remaining states of our great country ! They should be ashamed of there low esteem of the remaining United states citizens.....

[nellie]

You're exactly right. Hillary has done herself a lot of harm in the past two weeks. They both need to start talking about McCain. A good strategy for either one of them would be showing why they're the best candidate to beat McCain.

[afgail]

robtomorrow sounds reasonable until you acknowledge that the number one goal of the Obama campaign was to raise Hillary's negatives by orchestrating a Hate Hillary campaign 24/7 for two years now, largely on the internet and out of sight of the pubic and the media. It is reflected in the polling numbers. Hillary runs strongest with those groups that seldom if ever get on the net. Obama does best with those groups that spend hours a day on the net. Prime example is the Huffington Post. So it is unadulterated bulls**t to suggest that the Clinton campaign stop defending itself. Let the Obama campaign shut down their hate machine and the campaign will get a lot more friendly. I guarantee it.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Huh?

[Aleka]

Oh good lord. How is weather over there? Your tinfoil hat get hit by lightning yet?

[c1ee]

Ok, so you are saying we are all sheeplets, victims of the vast Obamawing conspiracy to undermine Clinton and raise her negatives?? Come on dude, she has noone to blame but herself for pissing people off left and right. The only time I thought well of her was in the Texas debate. I thought "hmm, she seems like a pleasant person here, maybe i was wrong about her." Well the next day she does the "Shame on you Barack Obama" rant about the Healthcare flyers. Can you tell me honestly that you know who the real Clinton is? The one we saw in the Texas debate? Or is it the one we saw in that rant, or the one i saw pulling tall tales out of her ass on Bosnia?

[mmpost]

afgail, you may be right about your assumption stating, "Hillary runs strongest with those groups that seldom if ever get on the net." Many of the others, including you I assume, use the internet for educational purposes among other things. The key word is EDUCATIONAL. Those that may be less informed, may be the ones who will vote for the Clintons. Those who have access or choose to access the information that is available, seem to go for Obama.

I like that. Let the informed pick the nominee. Excellent point afgail.

[EinChicago]

Wow. Obama is getting desperate with PA, PR, and KY fast approaching. If he can't somehow get the DNC to disenfranchise those voters, he'll through a temper tantrum through his surrogates.

[bish66]

The louder Obamaniacs urge her to drop out, the closer to winning this thing in the end she seems to be.

Remember, Camp Obama predicted that she would fail in Ohio. They urged her to drop out before Ohio. She won. Now they urge her to drop out before Pennsylvania and she will win again.

If Senator Byrd would step up and urge her to drop out, then I would take a minute to think about it, but not if some Obama backer rants on.

And this is supposed to be the "democratic" party... the irony...

[AnninCA]

He's a third-party candidate stealing the Democratic label.

That's been obvious since day 1.

[Plank]

Obama didn't do such a thing. Hillary has been moving the goal posts. After the Feb 5 firewall, the TX/OH firewall, now the PA firewall.

[ME08]

He got creamed in Ohio and Texas because those two states reflect more closely America at large than the small states where the party is controlled by very radicalized elements of the party. The states Obama won will NEVER go Dem in November...he might win his home state and DC, but that would be it. A 48 state massacre, mark my words, if Obama is nominee.

[Changeizgood]

You must be one of the fear mongers, its like your comfortable with the doom and gloom.
We tried to be nice and polite and always invite you to join not insult the camping but when you and Bill and Hillary and the Rove assistant from NH get together, all hell breaks loose in our elections from voter intimidation, to locking the caucus doors early.

YOU PEOPLE ARE CHEATERS AND NOT REPRESENTATIVES OF WHAT KIND OF PRESIDENT IS BEST TO LEAD WITH GOOD JUDGEMENT.

Can you dig it?

[dajay]

bish66: I so agree. Hillary is not going anywhere. The OBama supporters are delusional if they think she is dropping out before Penn, or even AFTER she wins Penn.

Delusional, along with Leahy and the rest of the Democratic Party members that are trying to override the votes of the people.

[mmpost]

I'm an Obama supporter but I have to say, these calls for Hillary to get out are premature. Do I think she has a shot in hell? Absolutely not, but give her her last fighting chance. Maybe then she will bow out gracefully. . . That was a joke.

I don't think the Clintons are going to do as well as everyone is making it seem. I think Obama has a chance in PA. Actually, I KNOW he has a chance. There is still time, and there are people out there working to connect with the so-called "blue collar", "working class", "ethnic white" voters. Also, just give it a little more time, Hillary will probably drive them away on her own. People like her and her campaign, using their money, connections, and power to try to intimidate people like Richardson and Pelosi, will backfire. The voters who are her so-called base have all probably seen how those wheels turn because they have all been victims themselves. They will soon see they are voting for the same group of people who make back room deals and benefit at the expense of the working class.

Sometimes, when people are drunk on revenge and power, they can't see how they are screwing up. Ask Dubya.

[dajay]

Obama has about as much chance as winning Penn, as Paul Begala has at having monkeys fly out of his butt.

It just isn't going to happen.

[mmpost]

A year ago today, Obama had about as much chance as being the front runner for the Democratic nomination as Paul Begala has at having monkeys fly out of his butt while playing Beethoven with a ukelele.

[Changeizgood]

Now this one's words I will mark and I'll do some calling tomorrow to make sure that our end of the campaign (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) flaws and all, will take our Christian butts out in the cold wind sleet and hail, just like the postman and make sure all your slick lies and e-mails are exposed for the BS Status Quo same ole, that it is.

Barack On in Pennsylvania, It's on now.

DEFEAT THE DECEPTACONMEN and Women!

[ME08]

We would have seen an endless string of Repub Presidents from 1980 to now if the Clintons hadn't been around...they got us the White House, which we never would have had if they didn't realize that no Dem who puts up a left wing agenda can win the White House...not going to happen, hasn't happened, and won't happen now, if Obama follows his voting record as President...it is simply a fact that Obama's supporters must face and stop the nonsense about his slim delegate lead and narrow popular vote plurality. There is no way he is getting the nomination...this will be be a brokered convention, with the people who run the party deciding it...that's how it will be...since that's the case, Obama is at a distinct disadvantage, no matter how he tries to pry superdelegates away from her...she has the power base...he doesn't...that's what it comes down to...Obama people need to wake up, smell the coffee, dial down the absurd calls for her withdrawing, because she won't, and that's how it goes...snide comments, catty personal attacks on her ain't going to change anything, except turn independents away from voting Dem.
So Obama people need to cut the crap, shut their traps, and let this go on.

[mounthoodliberal]

you had me going there for a second...very good post and while I think Hillary will win PA, the victory is in the margin. the coup de gras will be NC.

[whichchange]

Caucus vs. Primaries. Here is the big reason why caucus wins have little bearing on the General Election. Caucuses are attended by a small fraction of voters. Usually, the voters attending are the hardcore politicos who love the atmosphere of it, and the chance to vocalize their support for someone. Caucuses are also extremely ripe for abuse. Caucuses also exclude most shift workers, single parents, elderly and frail. Many people are unaware of the caucus system, and that includes people that live in caucus states. You have to be there at a certain time on a certain day, and often must be there for a least an hour or so.

A primary vote and absentee ballots are the most accurate and democratic way to elect a nominee. Voters are given usually 12 hours in which to come by a LOCAL venue to cast a vote, or they can easily cast an absentee ballot. Primary voting captures a LARGE percentage of voters vs. caucuses, with little room for fraud or "gaming the system."

The media was far too busy getting chills up their legs to point out the disparity of caucus voting to primary voting. In fact the caucus wins that some people here are pointing to as evidence that Hillary should drop out, have no bearing on the General Election.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/how_to_count_the_popular_vote_1.php

[nellie]

A lot of analysts would disagree with you.

[ME08]

They may, but as is so often true of those analysts, they are dead wrong...how did Iowa predict the general election? Caucuses have had little bearing on electoral outcome...Bill Clinton did badly in them...I rest my case...

The caucus system needs to be eliminated, for it is a distraction and does not provide a clear sign of who the general election winner will be. It is a place for people to unduly influence others how to vote, by no means how we want a nominee to ever be picked. Iy discriminates against older voters, absentee voters, and shift workers, and for that reason alone is by no means a lesson in democracy...end it, now!

[kevenseven]

Are caucuses new this year?

[AnninCA]

Yes, which undoubtedly explains why the polls show him behind Hillary in national polls but ahead with the delegate count.

The delegate count was all about caucuses in red states.

That will sink us.

[mounthoodliberal]

thick as a brick i guess. Obama is ahead of Hillary in ALL national polls. Yes. Today.

Gallup: Obama 50 Clinton 42
Rasmussen: Obama 46 Clinton 44
Pew: Obama 49 Clinton 39

[Changeizgood]

In the words of Richard Pryor: "We will see, We will see, We will see, We will see, We wil see, We will see, We will seeeyie

Si se pueta!

[JohnTalbutt]

You make some valid points. But when you have people deliberately trying to distort the primary process by voting for a candidate they don't like but believe is easiest to beat, as in Texas and Ohio and to some extent Pennsylvania primaries are easier to game. Cynthia McKinney lost her seat because Republicans in Georgia crossed over to vote for her primary opponent. Also primaries are more succeptible to media bias and last minute false rumors. Supposed candidate X's campaign contacted the Canadian Prime Minister's chief of staff, will call him Ian Brodie, and stated that candidate X had no intention of turning a treaty, will call it NAFTA , on its head. And candidate Y had an aide that made similar assurances to the Canadian Embassy in Chicago. The corporate media which is controlled by a party in opposition to the party of X and Y, and, believing X to be the weaker candidate,might in collusion with candidate X run a big story right before the voting that mentioned only the contact made by the aide of candidaate Y. Again caucuses cacuses can't be gamed this way. The best safeguard is an involved an intelligent electorate who sees through these scams.

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Having observed caucuses in 3 states, IOWA, WASHINGTON and TEXAS, I couldn't agree with you more whichchange! Caucuses are cheap, Caucuses give a very poor sampling of what will really happen in a general election. And they are ripe for abuses by volunteers who are not trained and are biased for their candidate. They must go, but sadly, the supers will have to take that into consideration until such rotten reflections of democracy are replaced by a primary.

[kay]

It's because the Clintons are running a southern strategy.

Really. You stay on board with these two, you're tainted, long-term.

Decent people don't want any part of this. It will be a dividing line, going forward.

I don't want to be over on the Clinton side, so I understand Leahy's disgust.

[kevenseven]

Good to see you back. Yes, the Clintons are appealing to racists.

[FrankFurter]

yep.

[whichchange]

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/how_to_count_the_popular_vote_1.php

How To Count The Popular Vote
------------------------------------

Under a scenario that includes the Florida and Michigan votes for Clinton, gives Obama all of the uncommitted Michigan votes, estimates the votes for all the caucus states and includes the Washington primary, Clinton wins by about 16,000 votes -- or about a tenth of one percent.

[Aleka]

WTF! You realize, this dude in that article tried to rationalize that the MI vote was fair....despite the little fact that Obama off the ticket. He rationalizes that Obama was "afraid" of Hillary and that is why he took his name off, so the "uncommitted" vote is what he would have got. That is seriously crazy. Are you all really SO desperate?

[DownwithFearMongers]

HILLARY IS THE DEMOCRATIC VERSION OF HUCKABEE

[Kim445588]

You ain't kidding!

Now they've deemed her last stand as the "Hillbilly firewall"!

As much as I can't stand her, this is really starting to get hilarious.

[JohnFromCensornati]

I guess we hillbillies are gonna get some "attention"!

[borderorder]

I think the term is Hillaryous.

[hanyghaly]

hillary will make a better president than barak and maccain,you know i listen to what barak is saying and i like what i hear ,however looking at what he does i wonder , no thank you i believe hillary can do the job and if barak truley wants to see this country get out of the mess we are in ,then there is but only one solution,drop out and endorse the best person for the job hillary clinton

[havbrush]

The fact that she's just been caught lying about the Bosnia landing doesn't bother you. How can she possibly be a better president when you won't know if she's telling the truth or not.

[fitconnection]

Hillary is an idiot when it comes to foreign policy. She's also bought and paid for by corporations and special interests. I'll take Barack Obama and his campaign, which is paid for by the people, every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[Nyland8]

LOL

8

[madkey]

How can Hillary be the best President. She can't even tell the truth when caught lying. Thats why shes declining in the polls and is least honest. Hillary Clinton whole Campaign is a lie. Ready On Day One. After a look at her white House Documents she doesn't have no more credentials than Barack Obama. She can't even acknowledge her mistakes. Shes destin to stay in the race not caring if it destroys the American People a change to win the general election. You need to think about what kind of person she is.

[c1ee]

Hi hanyghaly, can you please elaborate why you think Hillary would make the better president. Thanks.

[ihavenobias]

I disagree with the Huckabee comparison. Sure, she stayed in after he knew it was over (just like Hillary), but the critical difference is that Huckabee didn't bash McCain every day and praise Obama (hurting the chances of his own party winning in November). If Hillary were to stay in and tone down her incredibly damaging (and Republican style) attacks on Obama (along with no longer praising McCain every other day), it wouldn't be an issue. But she knows the only way she stands a chance if she ruins Obama, even though it also means increasing the chance the McCain will be our next president.

[okAcomputer]

haha, so true

[AnninCA]

Really? Then you won't mind if we continue on. Obviously, Huckabee had no chance.

Of course, the fact that she's ahead of Obama in national polls against McCain and less than 1 percent behind in popular vote MIGHT make you nervous. :)

[mounthoodliberal]

ann, there you go again making up stuff. Obama is ahead of Clinton in all 3 national polls and in the polls from yesterday, the latest ones, she *loses* to McCain and he *beats* McCain. how do you even get a spoon in your mouth to feed yourself every day?

[JohnKemp]

I'm going to try this again; it was scrubbed the first time (no idea why).

PA, IN & NC have never had their primary votes count; always being told by booming populations in Iowa & New Hampshire as to who the candidates would be.

Now that finally our votes count, the Dem leaders want to eliminate them; this after disenfranchising voters in both MI & FL.

WOW!

[kay]

I think it's hysterical, although completely understandable, that you are supporting Senator Clinton.

Neocons for Hillary!

It's a big part of her base, apparently.

[EndAllWars]

PA, IN and NC can vote, and even if Hillary gets 70 percent of the votes she still can't take the lead back from Oh Bama. It's realistically lost. The end result is the money that would be spent fighting McBush is going to be spent on the two of them bloodying each other while Limbaugh and the rest of his disgusting zombies will be laughing their guts off. It's like an army heading to fight the enemy, except that along the way the way they're fighting themselves. By the time they get to the enemy they might not have enough to fight the enemy. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it.

If PA, IN, NC and all other states want their voices heard before the booming populations of Iowa and NH, why don't those states just move their primaries up?

[JWLANDSCAPES]

Because like MI and FL, you get screwed for moving your primary up!

[AnninCA]

It is ridiculous, isn't it? I can't believe these guys are risking their own necks this way.

They just don't seem to get it. Voters vote.

[MNDADDY]

True Irony isn't it?

[nellie]

The chances of Hillary dropping out before Puerto Rico are very slim.

[Bulbul]

Senetor, you need to do what we are paying to do, instead of making unfair requests, it could backfire your candidate Barack eventually . You are forgetting that half of the citizens suppot Hillary !

[havbrush]

She has a problem with truth. In fact, she makes stuff up out of whole cloth: i.i. the Bosnia landing with 'bullets flying', totally fabricated.

[MSB]

There are some remarkable issues being voiced here - Hillary is supported by NEW guard democrats???? That is ABSURD. Obama is clearly the candidate who is less entrenched in the DNC and DLC.

People complaining about not letting the primaries run their course - THEY HAVE. Numbers don't support Hillary remaining in the race. She is HURTING the party by remaining in it. Nobody is saying she CAN'T remain in the race, they are saying she SHOULDN'T remain in the race. She is being more about herself than about helping the party advance.

This primary is helping the candidates prepare for the general....???? - NO WAY. We are wasting money and time letting McCain skate. Hillary is sucking up fundraising dollars pursuing a presidency that she felt was her's. It is not panning out and she could be very useful in helping democrats in the elections rather than draining our resources.

It is time to get behind the legitimate and likely eventual nominee - Obama. For Hillary to win she'd have to use methods that could very well split the party and perhaps even destroy it. This coming general is one democrats have no business losing. If democrats don't win this election, they will cease to be at all relevant.

[Aleka]

Thank you. This was very well stated.

[RButler]

The primary season goes from January to June and the stupid Democrats such as Leahy want it to end in March. Well, they should have penalized the states that had their primaries after February instead of FL and MI for moving ahead. But, hey, we're talking the Democratic Party. And they want to run the country. They deserve to lose in November. It's the only way they'll learn. Oh, wait. They didn't learn from the last 2 elections and they want to throw the Democrat who had a successful 2 terms overboard. Nevermind.

[kevenseven]

Hillary had a successful two terms? She was never on my ballot.

[timbrehse]

Agree, this is unfortunately why the Florida & Michigan felt they had to move their primary dates up.
They felt their votes didn't matter - historically a majority of the races were over already.
Their voices were often never heard.

And now according to Leahy,

Pennsylvania (April 22nd)
Guam (May 3rd)
Indiana (May 6th)
North Carolina (May 6th)
West Virginia (May 13th)
Kentucky (May 20th)
Oregon (May 20th)
Montana (June 3rd)
South Dakota (June 3rd)
Puerto Rico (June 7th)

shouldn't be heard from either. All those voters (including Fl. and Mich.) should have no say.
End it now! He says
That's a Democracy?
Rules say 2024 or it goes to the convention...PERIOD.
Not counting Super Delegates
Obama is 69.86% of the way there
Clinton is 61.44% of the way there
This with 77.33% of the total 4047 Delegates awarded
DNC set up Super Delegate system in the 80's for a purpose -
IT'S NOT SOME NEW, SCREW THE FEMALE OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN CANDIDATE CONSPIRACY.
The rules are well established, well thought out, and amended over time.
PLAY BY THEM! TRUST THEM! BE PATIENT!
It's not going to be an easy sell no matter who wins.
IT WILL BE UP TO THE LOOSER TO UNITE THE PARTY
After the Convention, the chosen democratic candidate will have 60+ days to go head to head w/ McCain.
Given that, I have no doubt there will be a Democrat sworn in come Jan.