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

[chasanne]

Its is time for Clinton to accept reality and end her campaign. It was the Republican crossover vote, and probably Limbaugh's Operation Chaos, that gave Clinton her very narrow and dissapointing margin of victory in IN. She can only damage the Democratic Party and destroy her own reputation beyond repair by staying in.

[SaltySaltillo]

Exit polls show that 1 out of 10 voters in Indiana was a regjstered Republican but they broke 53% for Clinton, 47% for Obama. That means about 67,000 Republicans voted for Clinton, while 59,000 voted for Obama, for a net difference of about 8,000 votes. I don't think we can point to Rush Limbaugh to explain Clinton's empty win.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Bingo.

[omaro]

There is an argument for her staying in, although it would behoove her to stop the combative campaigning against Obama, since it might look worse for Obama to lose to NO opposition in Kentucky, for instance, than to lose to at least nominal opposition. He'll win the nomination either way, but with Hillary staying in, at least officially, he'll allow her to leave the campaign on a better note for her, winning some states on the same nights he wins others. This also provides a longer transition period for her supporters to get used to hearing her talk about supporting the eventual nominee and to get behind her in this. It would surely take me some transition time and more than a few crumbs to make such a transition in the other direction. This will also allow time to work out a deal on Florida and Michigan. The only negative with this is that the longer she stays in, the more money Obama might feel compelled to contribute in a deal to bail out her campaign in exchange for her enthusiastic and active support in the end.

[whatchamean]

The Clintons are either with you or against you. Don't expect a Christmas card this year George.

[VillyVal]

This is a false statement. Witness McCain.

[KillTheMessenger]

Thank you Senator McGovern. You are doing the right thing for your country.

[rzan]

The superdelegates need to act NOW. I get how hard it is for Hillary to let go. She so badly wanted to be president, and this is probabaly her last chance. I hope that more who are close to her will encourage her to drop out. And I think it would be really, really nice if all us Obama supporters would treat her with the respect she deserves.

[transendentilist]

Thank you rzan!!! Finally, a rare Obama supporter that doesn't think like a child. As much as I hate to admit it, I think maybe she should concede the nomination to Obama. Voting for Obama is taking a chance, because he hasn't been well vetted. But he has to be better than any GOPer.

[RedKnuckles]

Not well vetted? Where have you been the past month? He's been hammered!

[VillyVal]

It would be especially nice if you want us to join the Obama team.

[Testtubebaby]

I don't. Why are people cajoling Hillary’s Democratic defectors? Let them go. The right minded democrats, independents and even some Republicans will carry this. I'm so sick of Obama supporters kissing the behinds of Hillary's sour grape eaters. If they vote against their interest OH, the hell well!

He will still be the President of all of the United States and its citizens, even dumba$$es.

[going2ireland]

I think we need to stop the rhetoric that the supers need to act NOW. I am sure they now have their plans. And I don't think we should sit in judgment as to why. Perhaps they think it may be too much for Hillary to face for them all to come out at once. Perhaps this is their way of breaking it to her gently.

Considering Hillary's state of mind of late, they may be taking into consideration what a fatal blow this could be to her.

We just need to back off and let this play out. If this continues to drag on to the convention, then we will have cause for concern and can feel justified in voicing our opinions. Until then, how about we back off.

And while we are at it, how about we come here for some intelligent conversation instead of the constant bashing. If our opponent candidates supporters choose to come her and bash, we either need to ignore them or be kind with our comments.

Yes, yes, I know. We feel such a strong tie to our own candidate of choice we feel the need to defend him/her. But we need to be civilized - just talk. Don't argue, don't name call, don't belittle. Just talk.

[burnt]

Thank you Mr. McGovern. Your leadership in recognizing the importance of fully backing the Democratic Party primary winner is key. We now need to focus on defeating the Republican candidate, and for that to successfully transpire, we need to eliminate the contention and divisiveness that an unrealistic and prolonged Clinton debacle would bring.

Please consider urging others within your political sphere, who have not yet come to grip with the reality of the campaign, to fully back Senator Obama. We need to heal and turn this country around. That goal is not readily attainable with the continued attack and smear tactics that the Clinton campaign has depended upon almost exclusively to date.

Thanks again.

alienated in Seattle

[jeffp26]

If mcGovern thinks he remains friends with the Clintons after this switch he is delusional. They will savage him in the press for being so "bold." (Ouch my cheek hurts.)

[transendentilist]

No they won't. They have nothing to gain by "savaging," McGovern. Hillary has said repeatedly that we should get behind the dem nominee. All you are doing is alienating potential voters from the Hillary camp.

[ShockedSHOCKED]

I hope that gdigr (and jeffers1961) read the McGovern quote that appears just before his own comment above. Yes, McGovern lost to what was shown to be one of the most corrupt presidents in our history (that would be Nixon for those too young to put the pieces together). Nixon wrapped himself in the flag and questioned McGovern's patriotism until McGovern pointed out that he flew bombers over Germany (where there was a 1 in 3 chance of getting shot down). Meanwhile, Nixon was sabotaging the Democrats right and left (does Watergate ring a bell). Yes, McGovern lost but gained a lot of respect in the process.

I suggest that gdigr think about this, try to understand the significance of the the former request to Sen. Clinton, and STFU!

[transendentilist]

The first time I voted for pres, was when I voted for McGovern. I voted for him because he was the peace candidate. It was the same year that 18 year olds got to vote.
I am having a bit of difficulty agreeing with him, or not. The dems do need to start their campaign for the general. We've been Hillaried and Obamaed to death already.
Maybe old George is right. I still have difficulty with Obama and Wright. Twenty years is a long, long time to stick with someone and not know what they stand for. I am having trouble getting past that.

[Frostfly]

My grandfather used to say"the Only good Injun is a dead injun" and he meant it. I don't agree with this statement, it's wrong. That being said, I still love and respect my Grandfather, despite the biggoted and sometime just plain nasty things he has said. I will tell you what he said is wrong, but I will not throw him away like a useless pawn.

Obama has done the same thing with Wright. If you want to be angry with someone for what Wright says, be angry with Wright. Obama didn't say it, His actions point that he doesn't agree with many of the more inflamitory statements Wright has said. Obama is a good man, and has the potential to be a great president. He can clean up the mess we have right now and hopefully put this country back on the right path.

[k6007]

I've been a member of my church for over 30yrs. I went to church, sans funerals, 2 times last year....I know, I know, but I send my tithes in faithfully, so God won't be angry.

[urbanscorpio88]

Well, you better learn to get over it and quick too, because if McCain enters the White House, your troubles will have just begun....... To answer, your question, I have friends whose grandparents have refer to African-American people as n-----, yet she does not condone that kind of thinking, nor does she hold these views. This person is my best friend even though her grandparents don't like me. You need to look beyond the Reverend Wright issue and see if you can find a common ground with this candidate. You may not be the only person who feels this way, many americans feel this way.

[navarro]

It's not that Obama does not know what Wright stands for, it's that, over the course of twenty years, he observed Wright performing and promoting far more good than ill. Obama disagreed with Wright on several issues and made that clear. I know many religious people, especially Catholics, who continue to attend and support their churches despite knowing some of the atrocious things their religious leadership has done. Many people also pick and choose what they believe, ignoring or discarding the bits they disagree with. I'm not saying I condone this sort of willful ignorance, but I am saying that it is a common human trait, highly visible in religious types. And unfortunately, it is an unwritten requirement that the president be a Christian. That's why it's easy for me to write off the whole Wright "controversy" -- Anyone in a position to run for president is guilty of the same sort of willful ignorance. A nice way of saying it is not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Of course, when the baby turns into a raving lunatic, maybe it's time to toss the baby as well, which Obama did.

[going2ireland]

I realize it is hard to let go of that. And I also understand why so many people still hold tight to that thought. In some, it is their own upbringing. In others, it is the demeanor of that part of the country in which they reside.

I happen to live in a state that opens its welcoming arms to all. We recognize that people come in all shapes and sizes and that does not make them any better or any worse than the next person, just different. As long as a person does not hold any beliefs that would danger our Nation, we accept them for what they believe. And, although Rev. Wright has anger with this country, I do not believe he is a danger to our Nation.

Please, people. Learn to be tolerant of others. You will find that you gain some mighty wonderful friendships that you never would have thought you would have had.

It really is an amazing life to know others who do not hold fast to your own beliefs.

Do you remember while growing up, that one person in school that you thought was a real a**hole and you just absolutely could not stand. Was there ever a time that you stopped to listen to that person and to understand that person? I have and I have made many friends out of the very people I once despised.

[2liveNdie]

At a speech just moments ago in W.V. H. Romney Clinton again said that voter's should view this as a job hire! To hire someone who is poorly managing her own campaign, taking money out of her own pocket, and starting to take words out of Sen.Obama's play book by stating that it is about the voter's and not her and yet with no clear or present path to the nomination, she continues on.

[ClaireRobb]

And the idea that Hillary would steal comments or ideas from Obama is surprising because.......?

[transendentilist]

Actually they both have copied each others moves. Obama agrees to go on O'Rally's show a week after Clinton does. He has a few drinks with voters, after Hillary does.
That's the thing with this whole mess. Dems have two good candidates. The GOP is struggling to come up with even one.

[hbw3]

Hey transendentilist!

[Flagal]

You are assuming (wrongly) that what you saw on TV was the first time he had a beer with voters. When in fact it was the first time the media showed him having a beer.
When Obama came to Florida last year he had a beer at Versailles restaurant, I know because I was there.
Hillary copies anything that she thinks will get her a vote. Obama is himself.
Hillary has had about 10 different personalities since her campaign started. Frankly it is very disconcerting to think about her as our President.

[going2ireland]

Do you think we can move beyond all of this?

[bitabingbitabangbitaboom]

I`M THE FAT LADY

AND THIS IS (IS) MY (MY) CENTRE STAGE

THE WITCH IS FLYING AWAY AWAY AWAYYYYY..­..........­TRA-LA-LA-­LA-LA-LA



.

[going2ireland]

We are coming to the end of a very long Primary season. Why is it that you and others will continue to take jabs at the opponent and his/her's supporters? Do you think going "neener, neener, neener" will accomplish anything other than riling the opposing team?

I am sure it makes you feel better. But find another way to accomplish this without taking jabs at others. Do something constructive. How about directing your attention to canvasing for your candidate or to register new voters.

[TNT2008]

I am not sure if this is Hillary's way of complimenting Obama or not but she is speaking in West Virginia and her health care program now contains Obama's statement "you should have the same type of coverage we do in the Senate"; her speech now contains hers and Bill's college loans that they had to pay off and how each student will be asked to invest in the country after the country invests in them; her energy plan now includes conservation and no mention of a gas tax holiday. What the heck is this woman doing.....­....rememb­er her accusing Obama of plagerism because he used a statement of one of his best friends? I swear, if she lowered her voice and I closed my eyes I would think it was Obama giving the speech.

This is quite puzzling to say the least. West Virginia's governor stated this morning that Hillary's lead may not be quite as big since the dynamics of last night's primaries changed everything. I hope that she leaves herself a way to bow out gracefully.

Obama 2008

[Aleka4]

Yea...weird.

shes obviously copying Obama.

At least she didnt' bash him in any way. That is hopeful.

[going2ireland]

I did notice last night in her speech, the tone of what she had to say had certainly changed - an about face from what she was even saying the day before. It is as if she is finally resigned to the inevitable and now see that she needs to salvage her reputation. Whatever it was, had see been doing this throughout the primary season, the outcome would be very different. I am not saying she would be the front runner. But things would be very different.

[transendentilist]

I said both of them have copied from each other. And they have. Next issue please?

[transendentilist]

Hillary would make a good president. How one campaigns doesn't always equal a bad or good performance, once elected.
I still say either Hillary or Obama would be miles above the GOP candidate. No doubt what-so-ever.

[qdog112]

Yeah, she'll be a good president of the Clinton Museum - not the United States.

[hopefulintexas]

from wikipedia -- this was virtually invented by the clintons --

Triangulation is the act of a candidate presenting his or her ideology as being "above" and "between" the left and right sides of the political spectrum. It involves adopting for oneself some of the ideas of one's political opponent. The logic behind it is that it both takes credit for the opponent's ideas, and insulates the triangulator from attacks on that particular issue. Opponents of triangulation consider the dynamic a deviation from reality and dismiss those that strive for it as whimsical.

[synapse369]

She did the same thing last night in her Indiana "victory" speech. She addressed the same issues in almost the same words, even co-opting OBama's "Yes, we can" call to the American people.

Perhaps this is her "new" strategy - after all, the multitude of ways she has tried to win have failed. And, hey it works for Obama. She has been out of anything origninal for months and all she can do is "steal" Obama's words. The thing is she is NOT Obama and the words are phony coming from her. But then, as we've seen time and time again, she will do anything to "win". Sad, because for quite some time now, she hasn't had a snowball's chance to win". he Dem. party, and she know it.

I hope she finds a way to 'gracefully" yield the nomination, but there seems little chance of that. HRC is her own worst enemy. That's one reason Obama has not pulled all her skeletons out of the closet. He is smart enough (and gentleman enough) to let her take herself down. And she .has.

[Horst]

Mrs. Clinton is clearly delusional. America needs a viable third party.

[BadgerBoy]

After this election in november the gop will splinter and you will have your wish.

[transendentilist]

You must be joking. You don't know the GOP very well then. They have too many crimes in the works to give it all up now.

[VillyVal]

Oh, golly. Now, I see the error of my ways. Can I join hands with you to defeat the GOP machine?

Oh, wait. I was just hallucinating. Never mind.

[Rose52]

My my, how sour the grapes are today?
Your posts are rude and condescending. And of course, you look like a sore loser. Miss VillyVal, you should come down off your high horse.
Obama 08

[BigLib]

McGovern's giving advice on electability?

BWAHAHAHAHA!

[SouthpawSass]

Nobody knows better the agony of defeat better than someone who has experienced it...

[McFlipFlop]

No, he says that Hillary can't win the nomination. He can do math.

"McGovern says it's virtually impossible for Clinton to win the nomination."

[pupbayer]

You people think this has been a dirty campaign? This is NOTHING compared to what they did to George McGovern in 1972. No one had a clue what his platform was, what he did, what he said...the Republicans were unbelievable in undermining his campaign and lying to the voters. Get off the man's back! HE really knows what a tough fight is!

[LawSource]

THAT IS THE BEST MAN TO GIVE THE LECTURE!

Someone who experience the bitter end!!

[meanguy]

kind of like "kids, you'd better eat your vegetables or you'll end up like me?'

[going2ireland]

Your sense of humor overwhelms me. Nothing like being in the winners seat and still making fun of your opponent. Not exactly a wise strategy.

[melelo]

It is time to say bye to Hillary. I personally Thank Hillary for the good times, the low time, the funny times we have spend together for a year. But now it is time for Hillary to exit gracefully.

[Ivar]

Gracefully??? yeah

[LawSource]

HELL YEAH!!

AFTER ALL THE SHIT THAT CLINTON AND HER RIGHT WING NUT Republican Collaboration, put together TO SMEAR and TEARDOWN OBAMA, THEY COULD NOT PREVENT THE BIG ASS WHIPPING IN North Carolina!!!

SHE WAS UP IN INDIANA By 6, 7, 8 points on ALL THE POLLS. And Despite Having the "WORST" 2 Months of His Campaigh (Months of Negative Press), Still MANAGE TO SUCK THE LIFE OUT OF HER LEAD TO UNDER 2 points!!

THE CLINTONS NEED TO GO THEY ARE CRAZY!

THEY ARE WELL KNOWN ALL OF THIS COUNTRY THERE IS NO NEED FOR THEM TO CAMPAIGN, NO BODY KNOW OBAMA, HE NEEDS TO CAMPAIGN!!

THEY SHOULD BE WINNING THESE THINGS WITH EASE!!

[BlueAsh]

Anything "graceful" comes with a big price tag, and strings attached, with the Clintons.

The pundits are saying that the Clinton campaign has been negotiating behind closed doors with the Obama campaign asking: 1. to have her debt paid off; 2. to give her the VP position.

She'll be very graceful once she's paid off.

[Flagal]

I notice many nasty comments by Clinton supporters, disparaging George Mcgovern a great American.
Denial is an ugly emotion

[VillyVal]

Really? You must be reading a different page from the one I'm looking at.

There are a LOT of ugly emotions on display here, and Hillary supporters are way way in the minority, by my count.

Those among you who can't resist the schadenfreude should remember who you're talking to. You want me to change bandwagons? Get on board with you? This is how you intend to bring us together?

[Rose52]

"Hillary supporters are way way in the minority, by my count." That's only because there are less of them on this site.

And of course Sen. Obama needs HRC's supporters in the general. You shouldn't let posters on this site or any other to stop you from supporting Obama. That wouldn't be smart.

Obama 08

[ibsteve2u]

I can't speak for everybody else, but I want you to do what you honestly believe is the best for the future of America's children.

[Aleka4]

You just look petty and childish to waggle your fingers and threaten us with your vote.

If you cannot vote for the dem nominee without extorting others to treat you the way YOU want, then you don't deserve a vote.

If you really cannot bring yourself to vote for the dem candidate in a childish snit over what anonymous people on a blog say, then I would think you are no democrat anyway.

[Changeizgood]

Who us the EGGHEADS, THE CULT, THE DREAMERS, THE DILLUSIONAL, THE NOT NEEDED AFRICAN AMERICANS, THE LATINOS THAT WON'T VOTE FOR A BLACK, THE ELITIST THAT ARE OUT OF TOUCH/

Really the same welcome you gave is the one you'll get if you don't change your Status Quo BS.

I'm sure by time the primary is over in the Clinton Camp they will have alienated every group in America. How is that a win for her?

We are not elitist, we are reality Americans that can see through the BS, shoveled our way, by the Clinton Camp of Surrogates that devide more than conquor.

All mouth and no bite eh?

You might as well get it all out and have yourselves a good cry before even attempting to bring all that negativity here. There is still a back up, that you haven't even thought of.

Just try to steal or throw this election For the People, By the People and Of the people and you will come up on charges for elections obstruction. Right now Rush Limpdick, is having a little talk with the attempt to insight riot on the Democratic Convention.


The laws are the laws.
So stop breaking them.

[KillTheMessenger]

Look, how YOU vote is YOUR decision. That's why we live in a democracy and not a dictatorship. You have your part to play in the political process.

If you want advice, listen to the candidates! Don't expect the supporters of a candidate you don't like to wipe your tush. They won't. They don't have to. This is between you and the politician you chose to vote for. All I can say is: chose wisely.