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

[MartinEdwinAndersen]

It is clear, with even Hillary's campaign is coming to the rational conclusion that she cannot win, that uniting the Democratic Party around Barack Obama is imperative.

Here is a solution that allows everyone to take something from the table, which is what it is going to take for the Party to begin the healing process.

A deal should be struck whereby Hillary agrees to withdraw from the race, and Obama agrees to let most of the Florida and Michigan delegations be seated at the convention.

Hillary could then claim a victory of sorts, as making this the "price" of a dignified exit would allow her to say she is putting the Party's prospects in November above her own personal ambitions.

It would also help the Democrats win those two states in the general election.

It requires noblesse oblige from both sides.

Obama clearly has it.

And if Hillary takes the deal, it would do a lot for her to begin restoring a family legacy that this ugly campaign, and especially Bill Clinton's role in it, has so tarnished.

(P.S. I was the youngest member of the Wisconsin state steering committee for George McGovern in 1971-1972.­)

[CocteausTwin]

You are certainly along my train of thought. I Think Obama should offer to seat FL and MI on the condition Clinton cannot claim it as a victory only as an agreement to include the "other two of the fifty states." Make her sign a document saying as much along with the sentence "I am Hillary Clinton and I approved this signature.­"

I am sure she could not resist to claim it as a victory at some point, to someone. The commercial would simply write itself

[CTmom13]

Paper that endorsed Sen Clinton asked her to drop out

The Washington Blade, which endorsed Hillary, calls on her to step out of the race today in an editorial penned by the paper's editor....

Last night's results in the North Carolina and Indiana primaries have left Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton out of options. She ran a tough and spirited campaign that will be talked about for a generation. But it's over.
The time has come for Clinton to adopt a gracious and conciliatory tone, end her campaign and endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/paper_that_endorsed_hillary_ca.php

[AnotherMike]

I'm speaking to my fellow Obama supporters:

Stop attacking and antagonizing Senator Clinton and her supporters. Please.

We have been at each other's throats for much too long as it is. Granted, a portion of that has to lay at the feet of the media, but talking heads aside, the voters were heard last night, and that's who really matters. All these windbags can rile up the infighting all they want for ratings, but it's time to realize that we all have the same goal right now: Put a Democrat in the White House who will initiate change in policy and perception.

Sen. Clinton was one hell of a candidate. There isn't another politician who could have withstood all she had opposing her recently, and she just took it head on, with a smile and asked for more. I want her in the next administration to some degree (even Senate Majority Leader would give her a reason to support Obama's Presidential campaign beyond lip service), and I hope you all agree with me that she's earned it at this point. This is Obama's Presidential campaign now, but that was a Clinton vs. Obama primary and it was ridiculous­(SLASH)fun­.

Now let's support our Democratic brothers and sisters, while we enjoy mopping the floor with that pathetic, sacrificial lamb, John McCain.

Yes, we ALL can.

Who's with me?

[AdLib]

Step 1: Hillary concedes the race.

Step2: Obama and Hillary supporters come together as Dems.

Hillary is still running to be the nominee, still pushing to divide the party and damage the process by forcing the MI and FL issue in the Credentials Committee AND now claims 2025 is not the winning number.

When she quits with all the scheming, when she steps out of the race, then we can finally come together. Until then, she's not disarming so it would be ill advised for her opponents to unilaterally do so.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Your last sentence perfectly sums up my fear that Obama and co. will prematurely offer the peace pipe to the Bush Crime Syndicate in the name of national healing and moving on. Gerald Ford, anyone?

[Nochnoi]

I would prefer it if she left politics completely­.... She is a known liar.... she has used less than noble attacks against Senator Obama..... she is egotistical and hungry for power.... I really do not find her to have any good characteristics at all....

[Weasie16]

Thank you and I would ask my fellow Hillary supporters to do the same.

[maryrat]

I also would prefer to see her out of politics.
She exemplifies exactly the kind of politics Obama is running against. Slash and burn, use any way possible to achieve what you want, don't worry about anyone else unless you want something from them, lie at the drop of a hat, be arrogant and condescending to people, expect payback for favors granted, granting favors....­.I could go on but you get the gist. In case you didn't notice there is a lot of animosity from a lot of people towards Clinton for what she has done to the democratic party.
I say Begone!

[AnotherMike]

I'm sorry, but that's not for you to dictate and if her tenacity as of late is any indication, calls for her to resign or conceed anything only fuel her determination.

I feel, in true Barack Obama form, the way to get people working FOR us is asking them to work WITH us. She's still a Democrat mind you, and she's been in this business a lot longer than most of us have been in our respective fields, regardless of age.

The cowboy, Bush-style defiance..­. the 'You're with us or against us, you terrorist,' arrogant days are soon over. That is exactly what has diminished the rest of the world's once-stellar opinion of The United States and what we, among other things, hope to begin to restore.

Let's start here at home, within our own party.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Thank-you.

[IAM4CLINTON]

This endorsement from McGovern is ominous of Obama's prospects in the general election !! Now, the question is- can Obama beat McGovern's record of losing ? Maybe, win 2 states ?

[Flagal]

Your post shows you to be out of touch with reality.

[NoahVail]

McGovern served as a B-24 Liberator bomber pilot in the Fifteenth Air Force, flying 35 missions, often against heavy anti-aircraft artillery. McGovern was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving his crew by landing his damaged bomber on an airfield on a small Mediterranean island controlled by the British. McGovern's wartime service is at the center of Stephen E. Ambrose's book The Wild Blue, which the author dedicated to McGovern's wife Eleanor.

McGovern was a real war hero.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

If you're going to plagiarize, at least give your source.

wiki, I believe.

[mikekev58]

John McCain is a real war hero too.

What does being a war hero have to do with the historical fact that George McGovern led the Democratic party to one of its most one sided defeats in its history?

[batspaul]

I didn't notice Senator Clinton or her supporters belittling McGovern's endorsement when they had it. In any case, there's nothing ominous about it.

It's just so silly to try to spin EVERY bit of news as something to Obama's detriment. You only demonstrate the bankruptcy of your own position.

[mikekev58]

Well, McGovern's endorsement was not exactly trumpeted. I didn't know about it until a few weeks ago and I consider myself pretty well informed.

I think the issue that upsets so many of us is the disloyalty of people like McGovern, and Richardson, and most hurtful of all John Lewis.

How can a man be trusted when he does not keep his word?

[foolchild0]

so when he endorsed hillary, was that ominous for hillary's candidacy? i guess so!

but if you had any knowledge at all of history, you would know that mcgovern was greatly hurt by the democrats' inability to rally around him. jimmy carter held a press conference declaring mcgovern was unelectable right after he became the presumptive nominee, which is amusing considering jimmy carter didn't turn out to be all that electable either, and most of the democratic party elite were against him from the start, and therefore he was doomed before he really had a chance. and now, seeing all you obtuse hillary supporters doing the same thing just shows that centrist democrats have got to be the stupidest people in politics, because all they do is hand victory to the republicans on a silver platter. wake up! IT DOESN'T WORK.

[mikekev58]

You forgot a couple other things.

The DNC in 1972 was a mess. McGovern didn't even get to give his acceptance speech until after midnight.

Then there was the Eagleton affair, which said a lot about McGovern's ability to "vet" people and about his willingness to stand by one of the most honorable men in the history of American politics. Not to mention the message he sent regarding mental illness.

And re: Jimmy Carter...a­pparently you forgot the 1976 election?

I voted for George McGovern, because he was basically a decent man, a war hero, running against Richard M. Nixon.

Barry Obama is not runnng against a Nixon, and as we saw in 2004, Americans don't take kindly to a candidate who gives off a whiff of elitism, especially when that whiff is coming from Barry's endorsers and so many of his grass roots supporters.

The rebuilding will begin immediately following Barry's concession speech in November.

[Flagal]

hmmm

[CocteausTwin]

Breaking news on MSNBS: sink hole in rural area Texas forming (Clinton trying to figure out how to use it is an argument for the Super Delegates. You almost have to love the inanity of the MSM)

[maryrat]

I was cracking up last night watching, (I don't even know his name, he was on with Anderson Cooper,) anyway he had his Indiana map that he kept playing with, waving his arms around in front of it and looking like he was going to embrace it sometimes, changing the colors, making new lines, enlarging and decreasing it, moving the little squares around. It really was funny to watch him but it is sad to think he gets paid good money to do that.

[WinslowLeach]

That was entertaining. He really had fun with the colors and shapes.
He was also magnifying things that were irrelevant to he conversation.
The map guy also gave the mayor of Gary, Indiana a hard time. His results
were late and the crew and reporters wanted to go home.
The map guy was so pissed that he had to work late he
hounded the mayor on the air for 30 minutes.
Most unprofessional broadcast I've ever seen.

[Samnite]

It's time for New York Democrats to seek an alternative candidate that can mount a successful challenge to Clinton for the Senate seat. She has earned the opportunity to be drummed out of the Democratic Party at the earliest possible moment.

[AdLib]

I and many Obama supporters will be anxious to contribute to that cause.

[Vermontah]

She has actually been a fine Senator. She has served her country admirably. I hope she continues public service, either as VP or a Cabinet post or simply continued service in the Senate.

I have always respected and liked her. I have supported Obama because I think he is a transformational leader and the country must move on. My support for Obama is not based on dislike of Clinton.

AdLib's comment, I believe, is not true. The vast majority of Obama supporters have always said they would support whomever the Dem candidate is. This is not true for Hillary supporters, and I hope they change their mind.

This is not about personality, and whether Obama supporters hate Clinton supporters. We want change, and we want a Democrat. I disagree with the above posts and feel they contribute nothing to the perfection of our Union.

[transendentilist]

Yeah that's right. Keep up the arrogant jerk routine. IF your candidate gets the nomination, he is going to need all the votes he can get. So go ahead, keep alienating Hillary supporters with your trash talk. Something Obama said he is clearly opposed to. Half you twits don't even know what Obama expects of you.

[VoodooAndValentine]

I'm an Obama supporter.­.. but your comment is nonsense. Stop giving Clinton supporters a reason to call us elitists and drones.

[Samnite]

How as a LIBERAL I could be accused of being an "elitists" is hard to imagine but if that's what you think I'll accept that.

While I might have had a different viewpoint about Clinton had she behaved fairly I do not accept that all of a sudden we should accept her back into the Party with open hands combined with a checkbook to payoff her more than $10 million in personal loans. Not now and not tomorrow.

Jumping in bed with McCain while providing plenty of ammunition for the Republicans made her the female Lieberman in my book. Obama has plenty of acceptable VP candidates that can win Independents, Republicans and yes even many of those who voted for Clinton. The exception being racists, bigots and single-issue anti-abortion Catholics whom he will never get even with the support of yet another lie from Clinton(s) offering their support.

[globality]

absulutely right. No Senate or Gov in NY 2010. I would even vote Bloomberg.

[IAM4CLINTON]

Really. Even if Obama wins the nomination, it will be with super delegate votes. Essentialy, the Dem primary ended in a tie with less than 1% difference in vote.

Obama fans like you should stop the hate, venonm, personal insults toward the Clintons if Obama has any prayer of getting the 15 Million Hillary voters. he will need in the general

[transendentilist]

You can't tell them anything. They're omniscient.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Ditto.

Samnite musta gotten the secret memo re spitefulness.

[batspaul]

This Obama supporter respectfully disagrees. We need to follow the example of the candidate we support. After all, his civility and bridge-building is a significant part of his strength.

This is the time to be gracious in victory. We need a unified front against the Republicans. Let's not risk the big fight by dwelling on and perpetuating our internal battles.

[AdLib]

Can Hillary Supporters please give us a list in advance of all the unethical and nasty SDs that are currently supporting Hillary so we can know that when you attack them after they switch to Obama, that you're not just being petty, small-minded jerks?

[CocteausTwin]

Let's make it easy -- all of them.

I am not a mean person. I am rather polite. But when someone behaves as she has -- well something about reaping what is sewn.

And Tranydentist: from your supposed candiates own mouth - yer either with us or again' us.

[transendentilist]

Keep trashing us and you won't get the white house. Guaranteed.

[mikekev58]

George Bush is Tranydentist's candidate? Oh, really.

I can tell you're not a mean person though. Most weavers are nice people.

[AbbieXHoffman]

I'll think you'll get a lot farther by respecting the Hillary supporters at this point and stop the hate-filled arrogant comments toward them.

You need them to support Obama, so why don't YOU CHANGE your attitude start following Obama's lead of grace, respect and unity.

[transendentilist]

Thank you AH. The youngins are arrogant for sure. But arrogance without smarts is what loses elections.

[sayinisayu]

Abbie

your comments are correct and very well said. It's think of our future here with respect and unity.

[AdLib]

Sounding a bit "elitst" and hypocritical there for a Hillary supporter.

How about this, Hillary stops the continuing unethical attacks on Obama and accepts reality by resigning from the race and the healing can begin?

Hillary is seen as untrustworthy by over 1/2 of Americans, she can't be trusted to do the right thing. Until she does, I'm not turning my back on her.

[haboob]

it will be interesting when the egg heads have a beggars banquet here to woo the clinton supporters and no one shows up at the table

[transendentilist]

Yeah, well said. They are so arrogant, they think Obama won't need Hillary supporters.

[redrobin]

Hilliary supporters are basically the same bubbas that voted bush in for two terms. Those can't educated no matter how hard it's tried. If being 'elitist' is not being a empty-headed, then call us 'elitists' or 'eggheads.­' At least we've got brains and use them appropriately. Not so for some others.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Who said this? Every Obama supporter I've talked to has claimed the opposite. So what exactly is bugging you? I'm sorry your candidate lost. She ran a race that was hell bent on destroying Obama and it back fired on her. She should have stuck to her message and ideas instead of siding with McCain on a gas tax holiday that was going no where. When you consider a state like IN where people have lost their jobs and are having trouble getting around because of the high cost of gas, the answer to that problem isn't a gas tax holiday. Where was the long term solution to this? She offered none. Also the fact that her husband masterminded NAFTA essentially destroyed her. If you want to blame someone for Hillary Clinton's demise then blame the candidate herself. She ran a poor campaign because she was under the impression that it would be a walk in the park. The arrogance was not comming from Obama or supporters of Obama, it was coming from Hillary who felt that she was entitled to the nomination.

[AshleyMarie]

Wow, you all I bitter!

I guess I would be too if my candidate was losing!!!!!

:)

[AdLib]

"Boob" is a Repug Troll who has posted racially prejudiced and insulting material. Best to ignore him and his dishonest posts.

[AshleyMarie]

Wow, you all are bitter!

Guess I would be too if my candidate was losing!!!

:)

[thegreatgiginthesky]

If you know this why are you wasting your time here?

[Flagal]

Keep dreaming.

[Nochnoi]

I wish she would take this opportunity and bow out.... but no.... she wants to drag it out to the bitter end....

I hope Senator Obama starts campaigning as if she no longer exists, and just sets his sights on McCain....­. Totally ignore her....

[AdLib]

Hey Nochnoi!

I think it will be a natural for the media attention to slip away from Hillary now that she is considered having lost and will re-focus on Obama vs. McCain.

I'm thinking this will be a good rest and rebuilding period for Obama, Hillary can't keep going dirty on him and McCain and the Repub's aren't not ready for him (I don't think they ever really will be!).

Obama can return now to the inspiration, hope and specifics that have electrified his campaign.

[AdLib]

Whoops, make that "are not ready..."

[Nochnoi]

Hey AdLib!

I mostly agree with you.... but the Clinton News Network keeps talking about how she might still be in the race..... gads...... but they are as bad as FOX now.....

[nellie]

This is just the start.

[Nofuzzydreams]

McGovern for Obama!!! Bring out the song and dance and the funeral in November for Obama's chances. No doubt Obama is the modern day McGovern. When he loses in November, the Obamanuts will troll out excuses like the country is racist, uneducated etc. Whining does not win elections.

[AdLib]

"Whining does not win elections.­"

So you are going to lose?

[nellie]

You're absolutely right. Whining does not win elections. Which is why you are very unlikely to win one any time soon.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

So what exactly is Hillary's excuse?

[Nochnoi]

McCain could not win the election even if he was running against a dead dog.....

[americanwomaninpa]

nochnoi:

You Wish !!

[transendentilist]

Never, never, underestimate the GOP smear machine. It's foolish to underestimate one's opponent.

[luvthelaw]

Apparently McGovern was okay when he supported Hillary.

[americanwomaninpa]

No, he was never Okay.

[newzzzjunkie]

I can't figure out why Hilary is staying in the race. She has already loaned her campaign more than 11.5 million dollars of her own money. Doesn't sound like good business sense to me. It's probably because she has no sense. Her supporters won't be donating any more money to a losing cause. She tried to ruin Obama and in the process ruined her own reputation. No one likes her anymore. No one trusts her anymore. And she's alienated all the economists in the world too! When the last cent is spent she'll quit or maybe when her ego shrinks a bit...she'­s a non-issue now. Enjoy what's left of your elitist fortune Hilary...t­ake up needlepoint or something.
Obamaaaaaa­aaaaaa!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!

[rjlwis]

Vanity is drug...

[nellie]

She deserves a graceful exit.

[AshleyMarie]

She is the only person stopping that from happening.­..

I don't believe that grace is her forte...

[generaldelivery]

Breaking News for Obama dittoheads. This is NOT "American Idol"! This is not a beauty contest. This is for keeps. The republicans want to win. The Obama people want a good excuse to play the victim.

[ltfcrazy]

You are quickly running out of excuses to talk smack my friend. I don't feel victimized, I feel EMPOWERED!

[luvthelaw]

Who's playing the victim?

[AdLib]

That's it? That's your attack on Obama and his supporters? Your heart's not really in this anymore, is it?

[nellie]

I don't even understand what you're getting at.

[hbw3]

NOT going to take the bait.

Bush is trying to stuff the FEC so that McCain's campaign finance legality problems go away. American Idol and victimhood claims and counterclaims are not what we should be concentrating on right now.

By the way, how about Obama/Sebelius? Kathleen Sebelius would be amazing.

[missmarg]

I've been listening to the talking heads all morning, and a common theme is how they keep hearing the party is coming together and how all those saying they'll never vote Obama will actually give him their vote come November. I'm most interested in who they are hearing this from.

There are many of us who have nothing against McCain, and will most definitely vote for him over Obama. Clinton is by far the best candidate, and I hold the media responsible for giving Obama a pass until the Wright affair, condeming Clinton from the start, and thus allowing Obama momentum and an opportunity for an insurmountable lead. For months on end they crucified her and put out this false claim that Obama wasn't running a negative campaign. Hello? Just because you don't cover his negative ads, or class his negative comments as such, doesn't mean he isn't running a negative campaign.

[wendelgee2]

Sure, McCain is fine...exc­ept he doesn't know the difference between Sunni and Shiite, admittedly doesn't know as much as he should about the economy (as evidenced by his gas tax holiday scheme), thinks we should put missile defense bases in Czechoslovakia (which hasn't existed in 20 years), and...he supports torture.

He's great!

[NatteringNabob]

Plus, John Hagee will be advising him on Supreme Court nomination picks.

[AdLib]

Don't forget to hate the majority of Dems who voted for Obama. And the majority of Senators who as SDs support him. And about half of Dems in the House that support him.

Oh, and don't forget to hate God for allowing this to happen.

Please feel free to join the Repug Party if you feel closer to them, after all, they are the party of hatred.

[ltfcrazy]

You guys working overtime today?

[CocteausTwin]

Notice how they were missing most of the morning? I guess they were busy doing a circle jerk and then trying to come up with some kind of trolling points. Pardon my French.

[magicgate57]

Obama running a negative campaign??

I would like to see this. What proof do you have?

If you have none then it might be possible that you are biased against him for no reason at all (or maybe you do).

[Flagal]

Your post shows you are seriously delusional as well as living in denial, just as Hillary is.