George McGovern Switches To Obama, Urges Clinton To Drop Out

UPDATE: Watch video of McGovern discussing his decision below.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Former Sen. George McGovern, an early supporter of Hillary Rodham Clinton, urged her to drop out of the Democratic presidential race and endorsed her rival, Barack Obama.

After watching the returns from the North Carolina and Indiana primaries Tuesday night, McGovern said Wednesday it's virtually impossible for Clinton to win the nomination. The 1972 Democratic presidential nominee said he had a call in to former President Clinton to tell him of the decision, adding that he remains close friends with the Clintons.
"I will hold them in affection and admiration all of my days," he said of the Clintons.

McGovern's announcement comes a day before Clinton was scheduled to travel to South Dakota to campaign. The state holds its primary June 3 with 15 pledged delegates at stake.

McGovern said he had no regrets about endorsing Hillary Clinton months ago, even before the Iowa caucuses.

"She has run a valiant campaign. And she will remain an influential voice in the American future," he said.

But Obama has won the nomination "by any practical test" and is very close to a majority of the pledged delegates, said McGovern, who is 85. Obama moved within 200 delegates of clinching the nomination with his split decision on Tuesday of a win in North Carolina and a narrow loss in Indiana.

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It's time to unite the Democratic Party, he said.

"Hillary, of course, will make the decision as to if and when she ends her campaign. But I hope that she reaches that decision soon so that we can concentrate on a unified party capable of winning the White House next November," he said.

McGovern is not a superdelegate, one of the prominent Democrats who has a vote at the national convention.

[WATCH]

Comments

[likeicare]

Thank god! Someone who actually sounds sane among the Democratic Party poobahs!

[Prousa]

How can we miss you if you won't go away?

[dbdzen]

Today is going to be a very long day for Hillary Clinton. Isn't McGovern a superdelegate?

[kevenseven]

No.

[djthedj]

Yes, he is. Perhaps you should avoid opening your mouth when you have no idea what you are talking about.

[jarotra]

McGovern also supports impeachment of Bush and Cheney, regardless of the end of their term in office. More people need to listen to this man.

[peggio]

Together for McGovern..­..72
Next?
Gen. Clark....I hope
John Edwards...­.remember being a change candidate and flatly stating the Shrillary was not?
Most importantly, while the world is concerned with her not beng shoved out but given dignity...­.she is the one who threw dignity out the window over and over and over.
Senator Obama is a statesman.­....her new buddies on the right won't be nearly as respectful and they want her as the nominee because the vetting had not even begun.
Aside to Rush....ta­ke two Oxy's and call me in the morning!

[kevenseven]

NOt a chance on clark

[Rumba]

If Edwards doesn't come out for Obama, and soon, he loses all credibility in my book.

[thejoshuablog]

"I told ya I love ya, now get out."

[Heaphy]

I cast my first Presidential vote for George McGovern, and he remains, despite his advanced years, a clearheaded and compassionate critic whenever our country strays from the path of freedom and justice. Thank you, Senator McGovern, for your endorsement of Barack Obama.
- Jim Heaphy

[WoodyCPM]

Like you, my first Presidential vote went to McGovern. He's a good man and he would have made a fine President, but so many things went wrong with his candidacy and so many things were totally screwy with the Democratic Party in '72, and the screwed up convention, that they could have run FDR and still been defeated by Nixon.

This election is nothing like that. This is a totally different ballgame. The set up, the political environment, the historical nature of it, everything is different. If the convention comes off without any major hitches, we're going to elect Obama as President in November.

[colbyb25]

Happy Days!!

[deeliz]

Oh, Happy Days!!!