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

[the964kid]

Hey George, better late than never. All I know is you will be joined by dozens of other Hillary super delegates in the next couple weeks. They also clearly understand that Hillary is no longer a viable candidate. I hope Hillary doesn't humiliate herself by staying in this too long (oh wait-she's doing that right now) and being the last person in her campaign HQ turning the lights off.

[conscioushope]

Hillary~

It's 3 am and time to turn out the lights....­..........­.

Good night and good luck...........

[Penny Leonard]

Good for you George, Read the Math......also read the Negatives of the Clinton History and pat yourself on the back......­Superdeleg­ates HAVE forsight.......The news media was WAITING to Attack Hillary with all kind of negative questions like they did to Obama.....The media WAS going to have an orgy on Watergate,The Rose Law Firm Scandal, The replay of the Bosnia Video,Filegate, Travelgate, Vince Foster, and current questions about John Glasgow, CFO and contractor to Clinton Presidential Library amid an audit disappears 1-28-08. and questions about the D.C. Madam and 2 of her "workers All hug" themselves...Nancy Grace aired dateline..5-5-08. The Media was preparing with that Grace airing, for the future questions to "intimate" a Clinton Association. Tony Snow, Pres. Bush's former Press Secretary, has been hired by CNN to babysit the Anchors and direct the questions. RATINGS will sore if more drama is fed to the media....Hillary's past and current is definately more Drama.

[JPFL]

Congratulations to Hillary for a hard fought race.

I think it's now time to shift to the general election. Hopefully, we can all now unite behind the fact that this country cannot tolerate four more years of the past eight.

Next Stop - The GOP Fear Machine

I think that oil will be this cycle's GOP scare tactic for their fear machine. Some economists have mentioned $10/gal gas. Carl Rove has already said:

"If we were to give up Iraq with the third largest oil reserves in the world to the control of an Al Qaida regime or to the control of Iran, don’t you think $200 a barrel oil would have a cost to the American economy?"

It seems probable that the GOP will try to scare the public into a mindset that the only way we can hold onto our money is by holding onto Iraq.

We have to get prepared to show that this administration's (and McCain's) policies are the reason for the problem, not the solution.

Fear will not win. Not this time.

[SouthpawSass]

Nice post.

[VillyVal]

I think fear WILL win, this time and for a long time to come.

As I read through the Hillary-hating, Billary-bashing that goes on here on HuffPo, I have to remind myself again and again, these are my ALLIES???? These are the people I'm supposed to join hands with and march forward to the promised land.

I know I won't stay home in November, but every ugly characterization of people I've admired and worked for by the folks on this site makes me understand those who will. The people here who REPUDIATE the words of hope offered by their preferred candidate will be very easily turned by the next media production.

[AdamND]

If you think we were Ugly the GOP members would look like the Devil if she made it to Nov.

[qdog112]

Not this time!

[TNT2008]

Very graciouly said. Thank you for your thoughts. Let's say a little prayer for Hillary for strength in the coming days as she faces a difficult time.

Obama 2008

[Changeizgood]

Yes I will pray she recieves understanding and compassion for the country.
And a new cowboy boot to kick Bills commenting arse on killing her campaign.
But she really owes it all to the wonderful spokes persons during the primary season.

You know, Bob Johnson, Mark Penn, Wolfson, Begala and Carvelle.

They really know the people, eh?

But where are the people, in Obama's camp, sampling the sweet taste of VICTORY.

A victory We the People intend on carrying on for the next 8 years.

I love it when a plan comes together. It's true you know.
The truth will set you free.

Free yourselves Hillbotts, from the matrix of the Status Quo. You and your grandchildren's future will be in Good hands.
Obama is Allstates.

Barack on team America, 6 more to go. We must visit everystate to secure the election.
Spread some good money from the people in the townships hardest hit and bring on the Victory of America's finest. The American Voter.

[Ivar]

Looking innocent....You mean this war was about Chaney's, er ah I mean oil and not about WMD's and principles? We did not go there to 'protect' a people? Surely the president & Co. would not lie to the American people. And if he did surely he would not get away with it.
I agree with soutpaw, nicepost.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Iran would be happy to sell us oil. Same as the Saudis. Same as Iraq.
All three are in OPEC, btw.

But if we keep screwing the pooch economically, we will soon have to buy oil priced in EUROS, and then... let the freefall begin.

[BDunne]

Seriously -- this is the biggest no brainer ever and yet she's still "pretending" she has a chance in hell to win. Her campaign proves to be selfish and intended on ruining the Democratic Party. Get OUT already....the Titanic is sinking.

[Barky]

Hate to say this but its more about the money right now. Get a few more contributions in, scale back the expenses, pay down the debt and then bow out. Like the withdrawal from Iraq this is a slower process than people give credit to.

[BDunne]

You might be right -- but I'd like to think that rallying in WV is not going to produce additional money. Hell -- I thought long and hard about donating $25 yesterday as i heard she was in talks with Obama's camp to take on some of her debt and employees. Ugh!

HOWEVER, if it will speed the process of getting her out of the way...here's another $25!

[Ron]

More Democratic leaders need to now vocally call for her to drop out, and superdelagates need to jump from Hillary to Obama to end it for her, before she hurts the party more. The campaign donars are drying up, and her bad campaign only hurts her future in politics.

[conscioushope]

Yes, like an injured racing horse who wants to keep racing, it's time for her to be put out of her misery.

[meanguy]

would someone even ATTEMPT to show me a realistic scenario by which obama gets to 2025 delegates via the primaries? unless and until someone can do that, and show it to her as well, it would be a slap in the face to her supporters and campaing volunteers to drop out...

[VillyVal]

Getting Hillary to close up shop is NOT the problem in need of solution right now. I'm spending my morning reminding you folks that it is time for you to stop the blood shed.

You should spend a half hour finding out who George McGovern is and who the country that repudiated HIM is not.

[going2ireland]

Thank you - I agree. I have been just as guilty as the next person of attacking, although no the the same degree that many here have. But I have resolved that it needs to stop. We need to come here and converse in a civilized manner. Overlook those that continue to bash, do not respond in kind.

I would like to think I can live up to Obama's expectations, live up to his own integrity. I am certainly going to give it my all.

[Penny Leonard]

I agree. If Obama was in her shoes, he would not hurt the Party any further and be on TV the next day to call for more money and confusion....He is not selfish. Another clear sign to Democrates of an unselfish leader versus Hillary.. she is still on TV today! She has 109 Million Dollars according to 06 Tax Returns...She EXTENDED 07 TAX RETURNS so we know she has MORE money to pay her campaign debt.....so be unselfish Hillary...stop hurting the Party.....stop the DRAMA....Vote Obama Superdeleg­ates...sto­p hurting the Party...your constituants are WATCHING you and Question your judgement and your future now hangs in the air.

[DragonMama]

Ouch. I'm an Obama supporter, but boy do I have sympathy for how much that must have hurt Hillary. McGovern has been a mentor figure to her.

Thank you for your support, Sen. McGovern, I really hope you used some tact and grace when you spoke to the Clintons about this. She's speaking live right now, not sure if she's heard yet or not but I think she's going to take this one like a punch to the gut. I do have sympathy for that.

[vippy]

Yes, I noticed that Hillary had her wind taken out of her sails. She tries to be cheerful but one can tell she hurts. But she did it to herself - I feel no sympathy.

[BDunne]

Touche! I almost felt bad for her...but then the speech left me dumbfounded. Someone...pull the trigger, send in the Sup's!

[obamagal]

Actually, I have to say I do, a little bit.

I have absoluteley abhorred the means by which she ran her campaign; it stunk - however - she is a human being and nobody can say she didn't expend everything she had for her dream. As well, her supporters have feelings too and let's try to understand their disappointment - it could well have been ours.

I'm with those that say let's aspire to follow the lead of our great candidate, Barack. We admire his integrity perhaps more than anything. Let's try to emulate him by taking the high road; reaching across the schism, and come together. We need to heal this party so that come November, the Democrats can put an end to this nightmare of Republican rule.

[conscioushope]

DragonMama~

You've got a real heart of grace.

[Changeizgood]

It's alright, we still love her, as we do all the American citizens with faults. We are all still Americans and love this darn country, till it hurts.

That's the Patriotism to fix this broken government, not the same people who started the mess.
Listen carefully Hillbotts..... You are getting sleepy, you can barely keep your eyes open from all the BS..

Your ready to drop off, like a tick. You are too full with menure to move any farther.
Come to Obama, come to Obama...... You too will open your eyes to the Bush It...
Come out of the light Carol Ann.

LOL, just a bit of sarcastic humor, at the way we Supporters have been projected.


No, seriously, come on and let's go change the world.
You'll feel much better, once you leave all the negativity behind and unburden yourself of the Clinton Status Quo Machine, that is beeping, clanking, and whistling to a stop.
Don't you want to feel good and optomistic that American Voters are behind this President with our eyes wide open and ready to roll up our sleeves for changes needed to secure our future.

Come to Obama, you've run a long and tedious race. . Barack has stood out, in the crowd and pulling America's heartstrings for a better, progressive, green energy candidate.

That candidate is BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA.


A fair respectful, honest, candidate with enough integrity to make, FDR and the founding fathers, proud.

[gdigr]

Ha!! OMG, yeah, George McGovern -- now THERE'S a guy who knows how to win an election! Let's take HIS advice!!

[BadgerBoy]

When is the last time anyone on the clinton team won an election, hmmm, the 90's i think.

[CocteausTwin]

We probably agree on the candidate that should be our choice, but I believe to be truthful -- a Clinton won the seat of United States Senator representing the state of NY. What was her name? Oh thats right Hillary. It will be a small bit of trivia soon.

[jeanniem]

George McGovern is not a man to be dismissed by anyone who considers themselves a Democrat. He lost his presidential bid to a criminal. If the takeaway is do the opposite of George McGovern, we are in grave trouble.

[VillyVal]

George McGovern AND Al Gore, by far the better candidates.

Maybe it is time for us to start thinking about how we make sure the BETTER candidate wins for a change.

The knee-jerk disparagement of our noblest warriors is unworthy of our party.

[qdog112]

Fair point - he did pick her didn't he.

[going2ireland]

Are you able to come here to discuss rather than take digs at? We need to move on and return to being civilized humans again. Please!!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Where is a current Senator to reprise this stirring speech by Senator McGovern in 1970?

""Every Senator in this chamber is partly responsible for sending 50,000 young Americans to an early grave... This chamber reeks of blood... it does not take any courage at all for a Congressman or a Senator or a President to wrap himself in the flag and say we are staying in Viet Nam, because it is not our blood that is being shed." (McGovern) blamed his colleagues for having contributed to "that human wreckage all across our land — young men without legs or arms or genitals or faces — or hopes."[4]

In a retort to the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, John Stennis, McGovern declared, "I'm tired of old men dreaming up wars for young men to fight. If he wants to use American ground troops in Cambodia, let him lead the charge himself."[5]"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_McGovern#Opposition_to_Vietnam_War

[ibsteve2u]

History repeats...­especially if the right people can make money from it.

[ohiodem250]

Wow! I had never heard that...very powerful. I was introduced to George McGovern through Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72." Because of Thompson's incredible writing ability I, although I am only 23, was sad that McGovern lost by the end of the book. As an aside, I've worked on a presidential campaign out in Iowa and "Fear and Loathing...," because of Thompson's sleep-deprived, propped-up­-by-foreig­n-substanc­e, disjointed style, is one of the closest things a person can read to get a window on what it's like to be in the middle of a presidential campaign.

[dvdpt]

Obama is headed to DC later today to round up the uncommit super delegates
Hillary is in West Virgina she will not meet with super delegates she knows there is nothing
she can say she does not have the popular vote or the delegates she is hoping to be offer VP or get her bills paid over $5 million and for the DNC or Obama to comit to indorce her in the future
do the math there is not enought delegate I will not be surprise in the next couple of days
Hillary will be force to drop OUT !

[EspressoAtNoon]

She apparently has $11.5 million in debt now. I DO NOT want my contributions to Obama's campaign to bail out that lying Clinton couple. They are centi-millionaires. They should pay for their own mismanagement, not extort it from Obama's supporters.

[Opus007]

I am with you on that Expresso! Especially since Hillary dirtry campaigning ran up the costs. It was hard for me to contribute to Obama since money is so tight. The last thing I want is for her to benefit from my blood, sweat and tears.

[Grunty1]

I don't think Obama is stupid enough to slap his supporters by repaying Hillary's self-imposed debt.

[Changeizgood]

They netted 109 million dollars since Bill left office and they will be fine. The debt is the cost of the fantasy, that America will forget they lost their jobs and livelyhoods to NAFTA.

Leave the cmapaign and let's send our president the best inauguration, this country has ever seen. Halelujah!

Let's go general.

[koromuso]

But...but.­..but....s­he WON by DOUBLE DIGITS in Indiana! (If you use Roman numerals).

[MiddleRoad1]

ummm, no. It was less than 2 pct :)

[going2ireland]

YOu seem to have missed the satire in this. Roman numeral II is a double digit that represents the number 2. Sorry I had to explain this to you. I did not want you wandering around all day thinking OP was not very bright.

[CocteausTwin]

Both clever and funny.

[cyndeewi]

McGovern is not a superdelegate! He is just as tired as Obama supporters of this mess. It is like a dying person that is afraid to see what is on the other side.Hillary makes people hate her because she does not know how to bow out gracefully.

[VillyVal]

You might pause just for a minute and wonder why that half of the Democrats who keep voting for her do so. Maybe someday when you're older and you've been told you shouldn't be allowed to compete because of your complexion or your gender, maybe, you'll pause to reconsider your childish put downs.

[Aleka4]

What has her gender got to do with things?

Do you know what the math is? Here: http://journals.democraticunderground.com/phrigndumass

She has lost. Period, finito, end of story.

Her gender has nothing to to with it, and nothing whatsoever to do with why shes being asked to concede.

I know it might be shocking for some weirdly deluded feminists, but -reality- is that she's being asked to step down because SHES LOST. Not for any other reason. You only show your own lack of reasoning and state of denial to try to cry sexism over this.

[Hallucinocynic]

I'm 59. I compete in a business world that is populated by a LOT of people my age - or older. I have never had anyone tell me I couldn't compete because of my gender, complexion or AGE.

There has been a fair amount of age discrimination in this campaign - generally directed toward those younger voters who have supported Obama. They have been derided as having no political knowledge, no real-life experience, no sense of history and for being idealists in a nonidealistic world.

The ironic thing is that many of HRC's older, more devout, supporters were once idealistic young people who worked, and prayed for a McGovern or Humphrey win. Now those people - AGED in more ways than one - are using the same old message of fear to motivate their base, and to attack the avant garde of change in the American political system.

[BlackLeatherRain]

This contest is no more about gender than it is about race. Or, rather, it is just as much about race as it is gender.

I am so sick of Clinton supporters claiming that Obama's supporters are whining - AFTER they complain about sexism and about how hard it is for a woman in this world. Clinton is losing because she is, frankly, the lesser candidate at this time. She is the wrong candidate for this time in history.

She may very well have won in 2004, but she could not have won this year. There are too many people in the party who are sick of her tactics and the tactics of the Republicans. There are too many Republicans who are sick of the GOP, and are willing to try their hand with Obama.

I'm a woman, and life is hard. Not because of my anatomy, but because Democrats stopped sticking up for the American people back around the time of Bush the first, and because Republicans took the opportunity to form a coalition of the greedy - eager to rape our environment, our political process, and our pocketbooks. I dream of a day when Democrats will stop acting like Republicans and stop tolerating GOP BS. Until that day, my chips are in with Obama, who gives me the best look at that future that I can get today.

[Changeizgood]

Childish putdowns. It is your campaign that brought out the nasty in this primary season.

It made us sick to see the World view our American dirty laundry.
Where all the unseemly critters crawl.

I'm 49, about to enter a half century of Bush It in this country by these same Status Quo promisers of anything and give you nothing.

The time for change is now, I don't have another 40 years to go. I want a safe country for my children and grandchildren to live in.

Just locking up Americans, is not a secure country.

[wsb25]

Hillary - if you quit now, I'll send $10 to help retire your debt. If you persist in this folly, forget it....

[KarateKid]

I am a Vietnam Vet and a contemporary of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. You Republican imbeciles in this thread are making fools of your ignorant selves when you diss George McGovern, a decorated WWII vet. Compare that with your heroes, W and Cheney, one who hid out in the reserves and showed up only when he was sober and Cheney the Chicken never served, and they sent over 4000 young people to their deaths in a stupid war.

Vets are mostly against wars because we've seen the horrors and except for WWII they don't accomplish anything. You morons never served, did you? Well, wearing a flag lapel pin and waving the flag doesn't count, you ignoramuses.

[EspressoAtNoon]

If I were Obama, I'd call Bill Clinton and Terry McCauliff and ask for them to switch their Superdelegate support. That would be so bold it would be hysterically funny!

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Per the Edsall post, in TX, PA, and IN....

Blacks vote 84, 87, 90% for Obama, but the whites who vote 55, 64, 63% for Clinton are race-conscious?

I have no problem with blacks voting for Obama, but there is NO mathematical evidence that the whites are voting race. If anything, the numbers suggest the opposite. Obama wouldn't be where he is were it not for massive support from whites.

I sincerely don't "get" it.

[JudgeCrater]

There is also no mathematical evidence that SOME whites (to be more precise) are not voting race.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

You mean whites -- esp younger and antiwar -- voting for Obama BECAUSE he's black. ;-)

Frankly, I don't have a problem with that either (if true).

I'm just perplexed over racial voting being called a white thing when the stats are it's a black thing.

Or Obama would only be getting 50% of the black vote -- not 90%.

[DavidK08]

I agree. Obama has clearly won in states that are near all white. Obama also had to earn the black vote.

HRC is just pushing the "working class whites" as an issue to keep her head ubove water.

What HRC is failling to say, is that she is winning against another Dem. Means nothing compared to General election.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Don't get me started on the GE.
For weeks, I've been saying it's all about the Electoral College.
Hillary polls well ahead of Obama vs. McSame.

Give FL to Hillary, and a number of Obama's wins to McCain. Then we'll talk.

There are only eight states where whether it's Obama or Hillary matters vs. McCain.
In 42 states, it's either red or blue -- without regard to which Dem it is.

www.electoral-vote.com

[scrutiny]

I agree. I think it has much more to do with identity voting. Hillary gets the bulk of middle and older white women (and black women in that demo). Barack gets the bulk of black voters.

[Aywaller]

This middle-aged black woman is supporting Obama.

[SouthpawSass]

I agree. I don't see this so much as a race issue... I also don't buy into the media hype that if you're a white blue collar worker, or working class white, you're not smart enough to vote for Obama, that somehow you can't bring yourself to voting for a black man... I know many intelligent, blue collar white men who can't stand McCain and are gladly supporting Obama. Hillary however, reminds them of that nagging sister in law...

[Aleka4]

I think we've all been over focussed on the issue b/c of the make up of states like PA where there is a large racist anti-black contingent that can't be overcome by pro-blacks.

The truth seems to be that in places pretty free of racists - like my own state MN, Obama has no problem getting the blue collar white or whatever you want to call them.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Thanks for bringing up the misogyny angle.

That nagging sister-in-law who's a top-flite lawyer and Senator, eh?

[qdog112]

Maybe this will help. People are voting the issues. Who benefits from a "racial" campaign? Clearly that does not help Barack. He won on issues - and I emphasize WON. Get it?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I would like to think people vote issues. But the stats are they vote identity. Sad to say.

To split a fine hair, Barack has won on image, decorum, composure, etc.

They are a pretty even split on the issues, imho.

WON? Got Dewey Beats Truman? Let it play out.

[KMan1]

Don't hold your breath George she isn't done yet. After hearing what some in a camp are saying she still has some more race baiting left in her.

[VillyVal]

I take exception to such remarks.

I'd like to see a little evidence of that much touted "unifying" behavior. That ain't it.

[ohiodem250]

As if the onus of bringing together the party is on the underdog winner or the guy who's been getting slandered by the other. The fact of the matter is Clinton started this campaign as the presumptive nominee, STILL holds the lead in superdelegates (probably for only mere hours), has used every single negative campaign tactic you could use (character assassination, demographic baiting, slander by sowing seed of doubt - i.e. "as far as I know he's not a Muslim," lying, outright pathetic pandering on the gas tax) and Obama is the one who has to heal the party?! The way I was raised you clean up your own mess. I guess Obama will be forced to clean it up if she can't swallow her pride. The truth, though, is that if she drops out of this race she will be the one who has to bring about party unity. And to you, VillyVal, the Obama supporters here owe you nothing. They will not handle you with kid gloves in order to win your vote. The question to you is: do you want to be a part of the most historic campaign in history? It's a privilege for you to be a part of that (just as it is for all of us) - not the other way around. We're going to do it with or without you. Do you really want to vote for John McCain? Think about it.

[Changeizgood]

Maybe if you would stop dishing it out so freely, it would blow back at you from the fan.

I have tried to be so very civil in talking to the hillbotts. it's like they are autistic when it comes to voting for someone other than Billary. They are stuck in the 90's a long dead decade of indifference to the American Worker, by the Clintons and Bush's over the last 28 years.

I don't know what kind of kool ade they are on, but somebody must be spiking it.

Maybe sign language would help. They clearly don't speak English or read or research before supporting candidates.

I wish they wouldn't have caused so much beef, as they put it.
But to say they would vote for McCrazy and put our children's lives in jeopardy, means they deserve no rest for their wiery brainwashed souls.

I will pray for them.

[hbw3]

Let it go. Time to move on.

[KMan1]

You might want to tell HRC that.

Hillary Chief Strategist: North Carolina Loss Represented Progress Because We Won Among White Voters
By Greg Sargent - May 7, 2008, 11:15AM

On the Hillary conference call, Hillary chief strategist Geoff Garin made the case for her electability in some of the most explicitly race-based terms I've heard yet.

Garin argued that the North Carolina contest, which Obama won by 14 points, represented "progress" for Hillary because she did better among white voters there than she did in Virginia.

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