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.

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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

[Grulg]

O SHADDAP Leahy. O sure, Hillary should just up and get outta the way Before a primary in a Big State that bloody Counts-PA-one that Prince Obama Will Not Likely Win. NO! He has to earn this, like it or not.

This is NOT a coronation. If you guys don't wanna have a primary season that counts after March-DON'T HAVE ANY PRIMARIES AFTER MARCH. Shit. How hard is this to figger out? it's not even April yet. This is NORMAL, the frontloading has clouded the idiots' collective minds.

Stop panicking Dems. This will clear itself up one way or the other ere June.

[kevenseven]

She cannot win, and she is damaging the party's prospects for the fall. She MUST drop out.

[rojo7449]

Broken record. I think you should join the part and participate in helping them re-write the playbook so this doesn't happen again. For now, democrats just need to wait for the credits to roll.

[Amberlass]

She does not have to drop out just because you male-chauvinist pigs think she should.
As long as her supporters are still supporting her and donating money to her campaign, she should stay in there. All of the states have not voted yet. It is kind of disrespectful for you to suggest it is all over.

[jb245]

Strange how these middle aged and OLD white men who are suffering from from some type of lack or failure, all of whom are in the Obama camp, are calling on Hillary to bow out.
Check it out: Dodd, Leahy, kennedy, Kerry, Richardson, (Chris Matthews), all has beens who would NEVER BE, and are on the verge of a collective infarctus at the idea that Bill made it, and now Hillary, a WOMAN (can you imagine...­a female!!!!) just might.
Call an ambulance, they are passing out!!!!

You go Hillary...­make them all pass out, then carry them a newspaper with your victory in the headlines while they are at Walter Reade!

[JohnTalbutt]

Obama supporters don't talk so insultingly about elected officials who support Hillary.
It shows you where the class is.

[dajay]

They just want to give Obama the nomination. I am so disgusted with the Dem party because of what went on during this primary season.

Hillary is an idiot if she listens to these guys and drops out before May or June. I hope she stays in till the convention and I think I am reregistering as an Independent.

[HypocrisySlayer]

Yeah , I get it obama !You were for him before you were against him , Yep I get it !With your racism and Anti- American views just like your "mentor"NO I will never vote for obama ,I will campaign and support all Republicansif obaa gets nomination !

Jim- Pennsylvania

[Kim445588]

Why do I get the feeling that nothing on earth would have ever convinced you to vote for Obama, Rev. Wright or no?

You need to save that anger for spending 12 mil per month on the Iraq money pit, Katrina refugees, and all your neighbors losing their damn houses due in part to deregulation of the banks.

While you're at it get this pissed when you start paying $4.00 per gas while McWar, passes out contracts to his cronies.

[kevenseven]

You fool.

[misterbone]

Fortunately, Obama doesn't need fear-stricken bigots like you.

[nellie]

So much ranting, I can't understand anything in your post but anger.

[mmpost]

You are joking right? First your name is Bernie from Michigan. Next your name is Jim from Pennsylvania. It is funny to me how people choose to pit Wright's speeches as being Obama's personal views as if they are the same person. You are exactly the type of person that is easy prey for those that believe int he Divide and Conquer theory. It is so effective and it is used everywhere.

Since when did it become "Anti-American" to disagree with some of America's policies? I disagree with what Wright said, but he has the right speak his mind. Have any of you ever considered Obama may have listened to Wright and decided he wanted to do something about it? Maybe he heard his and other's pain and frustration and realized he had to do something about it. That never crosses your mind because you are holier than thou and quick to condemn someone that may not share your views. You may not even realize, you are the one that is "Anti-Amer­ican."

[HypocrisySlayer]

How does anyone expect Senator Obama to bring America "together" when he can't even over come the hatred within his on church? What does that say about his leadership? Not even after 20 years could he bring understanding or less division to his church. It appears from his statements and speeches that he didn't even try to enlighten Pastor Wright.

Bernie - Michigan

[johnb3950]

So Obama's local church had a pastor who did a lot of good in many ways, had some controversial opinions/attitudes. SO WHAT? We're voting for Obama, not Wright. Only in America would people think it MATTERED what a candidate's local clergyman said or believed. In any case, Wright has been slandered wholesale. I took the 40 minutes to LISTEN to a sermon - the "chickens home to roost" one, after 9/11 - and (a) it wasn't his phrase (though it is true anyway) - he was quoting the US ambassador to Iraq, who obviously understood what causes Arab fanaticism/rage. (b) he never "gloated" over 9/1,1as the Rethugs have said - he called it an "unbelievable tragedy." Stop accepting the smears based on a few phrases, check for yourself. Wright tells it like it is.

[Changeizgood]

Bernie this is old news repudiated in debates and it's a pttern of the Clinton Campaign to do the same stuff in every state. i know this is horrid what ever it it s this time, but believe me, we are just as tired of the tantrums and smears as you are. Rev Wright is the angry black military Marine Minister, not Barack.

You ever hang our with a friend and he fires off a nasty one to someone, and although it offended the person, you aren't responsible for the comment. Guilt by association got a lot of black men locked up in jails and lynched. Check the facts and pay attention to who's rallying for unity or who's rallying for the same old fights. You know and rest assured that, Barack will be so closely watched just because he is black, that nothing other than what he has said he will do will happen to embarrass the office of President of the United States. I believe him because it has to come from the heart, not from a script or advisors.

[harriscrl3]

I say let her continue and destroy her reputation and character and then at the end LOSE the nomination. I would love to see when she finally have to accept that she LOST that her entitled presidency isnt happening this year. Then with her low rating let her go back to the senate as Persona nongrata. As far as losing to McCain she will because she can't move people to come out and vote for her unless of course its republicans coming out to vote for McCain. GOP can say what the want but make no mistake Hilary Clinton is EASIER to beat. Her approval rating is on par with George Bush.

Carol

[AnninCA]

Let her? *hooting*

Last time I looked, I still lived in a Democracy.

[Sandmann]

Republic actually, although that was sandbagged long ago...When this season of political American Idol is over, there will be plenty of disappointment for everyone so keep on *hooting*

[bethinCary]

that was beautifully said Carol.
(and succinct)

[HypocrisySlayer]

Is the Obama campaign paying you?? Or are you just a misogynist?? How do you come up with these idiotic story ideas? You must know the right people because you certainly don't have an ounce of depth, insight or talent!So, Obama thinks America doesn't "get" Rev. Wright? Don't be so condescending, Obama. We "get" him and all that he stands for: division, hate, victimization, blaming, anger, rage, racism, adding fuel to the fire, us against them , black against white, rich against poor, etc.......­. What we DON'T get is why you chose this man to be your mentor and your spiritual leader and practically adopted him as a family member. What we don't get is why your so willing to cringe at the honest, private feelings of your grandmother who raised and loved you while refusing to "cringe" at the TOXIC influence Mr. Wright has in passing on his hate to the masses. I think the Rev. is a little more frightening than grandma. Yet, you seem so mucy more willing to defend him than your own flesh and blood.

[FrankFurter]

tool

[Aleka]

Translation: I watch Fox Noobs daily, soaking in all their racist crap, then go to the blog and repeat it all ad nauseum, spreading hate and misinformation while mistakenly thinking I am speaking against it.

Don't any of you people think for yourself?

[Changeizgood]

Is that why you are so vicious, and nasty, they are paying you to do it in the blogs?

We the People like what we've seena dn heard from our candidate, can you say you are just as proud of your candidate, after she gets on International news and spews a whopper about a foreign country, as her experience, then blows it off as if it's some tale about Santa Clause or something.

I don't think Hillary respects the American People as ADULTS, and is playing divisive and childish games to keep confusion going as long as she is in.

Selfish and it won't work. If Nader is in, it won't be McCrazy or Shrillary that I vote for.
Me poor heart, has to be true to my country also.

Besides, Ralph has been listening to the People for forty years, that's the only "Status quo People's candidate, I will vote for, if Princess ME ME, steals the election, by brow beating or intimidationary tactics.

[JohnTalbutt]

Franklyy, spark, the below pretty much takes you out of the category of rational.

"We "get" him and all that he stands for: division, hate, victimization, blaming, anger, rage, racism, adding fuel to the fire, us against them , black against white, rich against poor".

Rev. Wright has hundreds of white men and women who will vouch for him. I bet Black people get your number right away.

[HypocrisySlayer]

If Hillary doesn’t get the nomination, it’s McCain all the way!!!!!!Carville, I love the way you spoke the poetic truth to the despicable Richardson. Obama and Richardson are birds of a feather.Ob­ama has the audacious arrogance to hope that his political ambitions are more important, are more legitimate, are more vital to this great nation than the will of the 2.5 MILLION voters in Michigan and Florida.Th­is goes WAY BEYOND a character flaw, it says something profoundly disturbing about his moral compass. This arrogance should inspire a wave of voter outrage so powerful that it crashes down upon him, destroying the ambition of one who would put self-serving strategy above this essential principle of democracy.­Jake Tapper, you are one sorry excuse for a journalist.

[dajay]

HypocrisySlayer: Love your post!

[FrankFurter]

tool

[Aleka]

Once again. Don't any of you people think for yourself?

Obama has nothing to do with MI and FL. Just because Hillary "I ran from sniper fire" Clinton keeps saying he does doesn't ACTUALLY make it a fact. Please get your facts straight OR provide some proof of your claims before you come here bleating her lies like the sheep that you are.

[HypocrisySlayer]

This scandal of Rev. Wright is not going to go away, it is going to get worse.If the democrats held their primary contest the way the republicans hold theirs (i.e., winner take all primaries) Hillary would be way out in front and would have clinched the nomination by now. And we would be on our way to strengthening and building up our party.Not only are you trying to subvert the will of the voters in Florida and Michigan, but you are now saying that super delegates should have no power to exercise their independent judgment and take the above evidence into consideration. I am beginning to wonder if the republicans have infiltrated the DNC and are calling all the shots!Why, why, why do you guys want to loose so badly????? What on earth is wrong with your higher reasoning skills? Oh well, McCain can’t be that bad if Leiberman supports him.

[FrankFurter]

tool

[kevenseven]

"Scandal"?

[mmpost]

I would have to say you sound like the GOP plant. You said, "If the democrats held their primary contest the way the republicans hold theirs..." The fact is, they don't so that point isn't a point at all. If we didn't have an electoral college and the presidency was based on popular vote, Gore would've been president. Or maybe not because Clinton wouldn't have been president because he didn't get the popular vote. Or how about this, If Florida and Michigan hadn't decided, without Obama's input, to move up their primaries, their vote would've counted. The state legislatures for both states decided not to have a re-vote. As I recall, Obama is a senator from Illinois not MI or FL. Your point trying to pin this on Obama makes you look, let's just say uninformed.

[mmpost]

Oh, and by the way, the GOP did infiltrate the DNC in Texas because Limbaugh told them to vote for Hillary. They would looooooove to run against her. It gives them a chance to run against Bill again.

[HypocrisySlayer]

It's hard for me to imagine a more brain dead group of morons than those people in the Democratic Party who seem to want Hillary to go away. The arrogance of people like you!!! I think you must have a death wish for November!!­!!!!!!!!!A­t every turn you have undermined, sabotaged and conspired against Hillary Clinton. I am sick and tired of you shoving Obama down our throats and acting as if the will of the people is some trivial thing. Instead of putting forth the strongest candidate in November, you are determined, to a pathological degree, to put forth the latte-drinking phony, "cool dude" candidate. In spite of the overwhelming evidence against this dude:So what if he has won a bunch of red state caucuses and southern states. Everyone knows that caucus results do not reflect the results you would get if you held a primary. The vast majority of those southern states and caucus states are going republican in November.I­f Obama can't win the large states and swing states then the democrats loose in November. Obama is going to have a terrible time winning essential swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri, Florida etc. I think McCain might have a shot at winning in California if Obama is the dem nominee.

[dajay]

So agree about the cool dude crap and the fact that Obama has only won a bunch of red states and caucuses.

I love how the media, certain member sof the Dem party, and the OBama campaign and his supporters, like to conveniently leave out the fact that the man cannot win any of the big states where they are a diverse group of people, and not just rich, white liberals, African-Americans, and college kids.

All of a sudden states like New York, California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio, are all small potatoes in a Democratic primary.

Keep the dream alive in the Obama Twilight Zone.

[kevenseven]

CT? MD? IL?

CO, WA, GA, KS?

And the voters of CA, NJ, NY MA are not going to vote for Obama? Please.

California is a landslide for Obama in Nov.

[Aleka]

See the problem with this is: It is clear you've been listening to Hillary "I ran from sniper fire" Clinton and her ideas that only a few states actually matter. Her total beleif that this is true is the entire reason why she has lost this campaign. In fact, for the primaries, EVERY STATE matters, which is why Obama is winning.

And no, Obama did not block any votes in MI or FL. That is another Hillary "truth" - which is to say, its made up.

[JohnTalbutt]

Hey bucky,. "The latte-drinking phony" seems to be sticking it to a bunch of racists and they are squeeling like pigs.

[FrankFurter]

still a tool

[badbob2299]

Bill Clinton in one of his lowest moments has agreed to pimp his own Daughter In having her state that her mother would make a better President than her father was. How low will this Former Disgraced President sink to regain the power of the White house?

[Bulbul]

Watch your language..­..

[Kim445588]

With juicy stuff out there like the Bosnia debacle, there is no reason to go here.

Cut it.

[JohnFromCensornati]

Does that mean he is no longer disgraced?
Somehow, I don't think that's what you meant, so I have another question.
If he's a disgraced president, don't you think she's on safe ground predicting H would do better?

[bish66]

badbob, you picked the right name!
Your statements are just ugly, hurtful and miss the point.

It is Hillary running and not Bill and Hillary will make a better president than Bill. She is not into sex, so we will have no scandals on that sector. She is a workhorse, so she will get things done.

[Changeizgood]

In case you forgot, Hillary's not being tht into sex, is what got us Monica and Jennifer. Can you tell me how the hell she is gonna stop this sex monster?

Salt Peeter?
A tranquilize. Suppose he has someone like a Spitzer intern this time, you think she will keep her mouth closed?

You tell me how if Obama picked Hillary for VP, she could control Bill to not interfere and go through the, "Remember when I used to call the shots?"

Tell me how she is gonna be able to wake up to pick up the phone at 3 am, when she will be so tired chasing Bill to keep a lid on his activities, that just like her husband when Osama Bin Laden was in Tora Bora, he was in some mess, and didn't have the support he needed to give the order to go after him. They didn't trust him, and that 's the problem now.

They are acting like crackheads, they do something wrong to you, and then get mad cause you don't continue to believe the BS coming out their sick twisted mouths.

[AnninCA]

*hooting*.­........Ch­ealsea is having a blast. You're full of beans.

[geriak]

Leahy - Dodd - this is why democrats are called weak! In the senate they can't stand up against the President. Instead they always want things the easy way. The only candidate who has any moxey - strength and not afraid to fight for what she wants is HILLARY CLINTON! Wouldn't it be nice if democrats in Congress had as much courage and strength as she did and then we would see this country in a much better and different light! What a bunch of wimps!!!!

[foreffectivegovernment]

Watch CNN. The Democratic battle for Texas isn't over yet!

Obama has not won Texas.

[kevenseven]

Yes, Clinton is attempting to deny the voters of TX their choice.

[Boringat]

Googling "McCain evil" scores 625,000...­...."McCai­n stupid" 659,000. ....close eh?

[Boringat]

Googling "Hillary evil" scores 843.000 hits....."­Obama evil" scores 586.000...­........we have a winner!

[bish66]

Googling "Obama hypocrit" scores 904.000, "Hillary hypocrit" just 796.000 .... we have another winner.

[akkadian]

After remembering snipers in Iowa, Waco and Pennsylvania, incorrectly as it turns out, I'm not sure how she expects to present herslf as a credible candidate, 'fully vetted.,' and ready on day one.

Now we find out that she didn't actually 'bring peace to Ireland.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBCmKkLdCuA

Are Americans seriously going to put a fabulist into the White House?
Correction, another fabulist into the White House?

[ObamaEdwards]

Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT! Drop OUT!

[JohnKemp]

Now this from a proud member of the Democratic Party; you know the one open to & representative of everyone?

Where every vote counts?

Where inclusion & the rainbow coalition reign supreme?

[DesertLight]

Don't forget the champion of the disenfranchised. It seems the party of the disenfranchised has now become the disenfranchiser. Not a problem folks the Republican Party will welcome you when you had enough exploitation and victimization. Signed "Typical White Person"

[GRobSecular]

Who CARES? The two-party system has failed this country. The democrats are republican-lite. We shouldn't hold tight to some arbitrary party favoritism.

The fact of the matter is that Obama has vastly superior judgment than Clinton. She is a neoconservative in progressive clothing. The Patriot Act votes speak volumes on the issue.