In the absence of a concession speech from Sen. Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night, top figures in the Democratic Party went public, urging all uncommitted officials to declare their presidential affiliations.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DNC Chairman Howard Dean, and an official with the Democratic Governors Association released a public statement on Wednesday morning requesting that the party close its ranks and prepare for the race against Sen. John McCain.

The move, which...