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

[luckyoldson]

Senator Leahy: Shut up and do your job.

There's a process in effect that has been around for quite some time and telling a candidate to drop out is not your responsibility.

[kevenseven]

But being a party leader who sees the damage that Clinton is doing is indeed his job.

[nellie]

Exactly. Hearing this statement come from Leahy is a pretty big deal.

[Star123]

I second that. I visualize these senators and bigwigs tightroping down the rope from the ship they think is sinking--their little whiskers quivering.

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

It's not Hillary's staying in the race that irks me, it's her "scorched earth" campaign. Good God! Bill just gave what sounded like an endorsement to John McCain.

[JohnFromCensornati]

What do you mean, "sounded like"?
Sounded like when Hil did that same thing?

[DesertLight]

I saw that too and it really made me nervous since I am probably going to vote for McCain via default. McCain better start sleeping with one eye open.

[JohnFromCensornati]

The sun will *probably* rise tomorrow, too.

[RButler]

That's a 'racist' comment. Just because Obama is 'black' doesn't mean that Hillary 'scorched' him. This is easy: seeing everything as 'racist'. Thank you, Obama campaign. You've taught us well.

[JohnTalbutt]

Yes, where do these people get off calling you racists just because you are biased against Black people. .

[nohat]

It's another try at marginalizing Obama, as if he doesn't even exist. First Hillary did it: she and John had 'a lifetime of experience, Obama had a speech. Then Bill did it: Hillary and John love their country and are devoted to its interests, no mention of Obama.

[vail130]

Personally, I support Obama, so I want him to win, and Clinton dropping out would achieve that goal. That being said, Gov. Ed Rendell is using the fact that the popular vote for the nomination is within 1%, but that's an all but irrelevant measure. The delegate counts are what's important, especially the delegates that have yet to be assigned, and those results are not so close.

Mayor Michael Nutter's analogy of this race to a baseball game is almost completely wrong. First of all, there's no preset limit for homeruns in a baseball game as there are delegates. Secondly, the democratic nomination is not the end game like in baseball; in the sport, playing a game through to the end does not hurt both teams' chances of earning a more important win later.

Both of these guys are spinning the facts. They both say that it would be a disservice to millions of Pennsylvanian democrats to end the race before they have their say, but if the odds are basically insurmountable, and a continuation of the race hurts the whole party, then they're going to lose something either way. Let's not forget the opportunity cost here: letting McCain get away with some of the most ignorant comments I've ever heard from a presidential candidate.

[RButler]

If Hillary dropped out today, would Pennsylvania and the other states still have their primaries? Or, will they be added to FL and MI as states that Obama doesn't need to win in November?

[vincie]

if this is america every vote counts. remember florida. it should be the votes of the people, not the stupid systom that the democrats have. if it was winner take all, hillary would have been the nominee. and don't get me started about the caucuses. they are so unamerican that it makes me want to scream. a state of 2 million people and 20 thousand vote. give me a break.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

Why do Clinton people always make distorted or almost true comments? Are they trying to beat Cheney? Whatever they say, from this one here to Bosnia, to Ireland etc etc, there is always the half truth, the distorted truth or the complete lie. Add to that the tantrums, and you have a real monster. (Who said that?)

[lancew]

Well, yeah, sure they want Hillary Clinton to drop out -- they support her opponent! Actually, Hillary Clinton's presence in this race is actually forcing Barack Obama to be a better candidate. It's a tie, why should she drop out because she is a women??

[zippywpinhead]

tied? I believe you misspoke..­.

[JavaCityGal]

It's a tie-- you mean like the sniper fire in Bosnia?

[rzan]

Obama just keep climbing in the polls, and Hillary's disapproval rating keeps climbing. But I have to agree, she and Bill have a right to humiliate themselves publically. Go for it Hill!

[YouThinkAndTalk]

It may actually be a right given by the Constitution. Can the spell this word without a spell checker?

[Grunty1]

It's not even close to a tie

[mounthoodliberal]

its not a tie....he has an insurmountable delegate lead...now go back to the taylor marsh site for more "facts."

[JohnKemp]

Leahy? How hilarious can this nonsense get?

For the first time in "forever," late primary states like PA, NC & IN (you know, real states) will cast a meaningful vote, rather than having metropolises like Iowa & New Hampshire choose the candidate.

And what do all of the big liberal Dems want?

After denying voters in MI & FL a chance to vote, now they want to simply choose Obama.

Democratic Party ? What a damn joke.

[zippywpinhead]

1) ALL states are real- even the one's that Hillary lost

2) the only people who denied anything to the voters of Mi and Fl were their respective state legislatures

[KRS1]

Real States? Mr. Penn, is that you?

[Grunty1]

JohnKemp is an old Republican troll.

[davidmwe]

This just came across my RSS reader and yes, more online analysis. Basically, it is not looking good for Hillary. The winner is:

Web Page Traffic = Barack Obama
Facebook.com/MySpace.com = Barack Obama
Google Searches (number of) = Barack Obama
and now, finally;
Social Bookmarking Sites = Barack Obama

Source:
http://newsusa.myfeedportal.com/viewarticle.php?articleid=83

[LaFeminazi]

Isn't Britney miles ahead?

[davidmwe]

I guess you did not read the demographic sections of the link...

[OhCanada]

LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE! WAAAAAAAAAAA. (In best crossdresser voice)

[Star123]

He's got the teens. OK--take them.

[davidmwe]

That was the amazing thing from that article, the users are ANYTHING but teens! It has detailed demographics and basically, it is more than just the "young vote." After all, we are all here, on the Internet, are we not? (pinch, pinch) Yep, we are here.

[bish66]

just like Obama Girl, they will be too busy to vote in November. Especially if it rains...

[JeffinIllinois]

Winner of the Democratic Nomation: Barack Obama, and because that is so:
Winner of the general election: John McCain. I can see the headlines now:

"In what should have been a perfect storm for the Democrats, John McCain wins"

"Democrats mistook nomination process for a beauty contest; looses election"

"Hillary Clinton supporters: We Told You So"

[rojo7449]

As a Clinton supporter, I do most of my searches and bookmarking on Obama. I already know who the Clinton's are and am trying to figure out the Obama's in case it comes to that.

Does that tracking device have a way of sorting out the huge number of Canadians posting, blogging, searching and weighing in on the race they have no voice in?

I'm guessing that any social studies teacher from middle school, through high, and political science classes, sociology classes, etc. etc. are all doing major research and class projects on everything from the statistical side to the analytic to the psychology of it all.

[SouthCentralDel]

Asking a candidate to drop out is generally wrong. But not this time, not this candidate(and her actions) that is being asked.

[luckyoldson]

Oh, I see.

And the reason it's okay this time...is what?

[drjasonmd]

Because she cannot win.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

Because she is poisonous. Because she is not a real Democrat. Because ... sorry, I have to go.

[FrankFurter]

Because she voted for letting Bush start his little war and still won't cop to it. Because she has run a shitty campaign. Because she is in Rupert Murdoch's pocket. Because she is willing to tear the Democratic party in apart just to be the first woman elected president. Because she would rather give the election to McCain than fight honorably and with dignity with one of her own party members. And while we can all agree that her brain is much larger than the current president's, her ego is only slightly smaller than GWB and we just can't afford any more of that kind of hubris.

[ptarantino]

The Democrats can win this race by 10% if they pull together.

[kevenseven]

Yes!

[LaFeminazi]

Well they should have won it by 15 %, looks like they will lose it by Florida.

[kevenseven]

Nonsense. Get over it.

[neocon43]

They might win California by 10%.But they will lose the general election!

[JimNauseam]

Hillary lied. She's toast. Why can't she smell it?

[YouThinkAndTalk]

She does not have a nose for politics. She only has a nose for $$$.

[TheyAllSuck]

To Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter:
You're an idiot. To you, it may be a game. To the 160K soldiers in Iraq, its life and death. To people who care about their right to an abortion, its their life. To this country, which wants stability and accountability restored to their economic system, and national health care, its life and death.

I treat Yankees vs Red Sox as a game. I care deeply about it, but at the end of the day, its a freaking game. Nothing worth going to prison over. I treat Halo 3 as a game. I don't treat my career or the wellbeing of my family as a game. Its no game to me, no clowning around. The course of this country is at stake. You have a case where the candidate you support can't reasonably win. She can ONLY bring down the party committed to turning around this country. Its business, and she has to grow up, and take one for the team.

[kevenseven]

And, of course we can assume that Clinton will campaign like a tiger for Obama once he gets the Nomination. Right?

[DesertLight]

You folks keep counting her out. You better wake up.

[kevenseven]

You are not even a Democrat. Why don't you go do something, anything else but tell Dems how to pick our nominee?

[kevenseven]

The math is not difficult to understand.

[OhCanada]

Ummm...she stated on FOX that if Barack wins without the Mi and Fla delegates being counted the nomination would be tainted. This truly was her new low. There was a point a few months ago when I looked at my wife during the debate and said, " u know, I hope Obama wins but if Hillary does she will be fine as well. Her healthcare plan is better (close to our Canadian plan) and she is a stronger debater. The last few weeks watching her act like a spoiled child has made me ill. Canada cannot endure another 4 yrs. of a George Bush clone. C'mon America, get it right this time. I hope for the return of the day where I can hear Pink Houses by John Cougar and not want to throw up.

[kevenseven]

I'm doing all I can, brother.

[JeffinIllinois]

Why should she campaign for Obama? Obama and his supporters seem to think they can do it alone.. so let them.

[LaFeminazi]

Good grief how good does Gore look now? Even in his 2000 wood edition.

Gore / Feingold 08.

[kevenseven]

Please. Order off the menu.

[elizaW]

if Obama supporters are so sure their guy is going to be the next president, why are they worried about the upcoming primary? Why so adament about Hillary dropping out of the race? Is it because Obama has yet to win a really big state? Is it because when you get off these biased blogs and check out more moderate ones, people are not so sure he's the answer? Senator Leahy is just trying to get his bet in early on the horse that he thinks is going to win. It's not as if he had what's best for the country in mind when he made this declaration.

[zippywpinhead]

maybe it's because many people are tired of the acrimony and fear the damage may become permanent (and drive off Repubs and Independents) if it continues. BTW, how the Hell do you know what Senator Leahy has in had mind?

[BetterDeadthanRedState]

Why is Hillary running a scorched earth campaign?

[Star123]

If Ihave to hear that silly cliche one more time, I will become unnuanced.

[toddausaurus]

This is the first time Dick Cheney and I have ever agreed...i­e. I have some words for Leahy. If, as all you Obama supporters say, "it's over, Barack won" then why is his campaign throwing their own kitchen sink at Hillary? I thought he had it all wrapped up and there was no reason for Hill to quit? I thought he was the big uniter? But he can't even unite the dems! Go Penn state! If she wins Penn. there will REALLY be some momentum. Big mo' is always best at the end, not the beginning or say after Super Tuesday. McCain isn't as bad a candidate as you might think, not that I want him to win, but his independant streak will get him a lot of votes. We need someone who can kick butt in Ohio (HRC), Florida (HRC), and don't forget, Hillary can most likely win Arkansas.w­hich could be a deal sealer in the general.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

The kitchen sink is Hillary's invention.

[EinChicago]

So was pretty much every policy Obama has, but it didn't stop teh Xerox kid from imitating them.

[fixbone]

i am a little confused by hrc stances - while campaigning in IND she says let the people decide OK well the people have decided and there is no reasonable way that the rest of the people will change the pledged delegate count to your favor - so then the superdelegates decide but the only way you can get the nomination is to overrule what the people have decided - please an clinton supporter explain this

[kevenseven]

Good luck.