Leahy: Clinton 'ought to withdraw'

Posted: Friday, March 28, 2008 11:47 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Clinton, Obama

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
High profile Obama backer, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), told Vermont Public Radio that he thinks Clinton should drop out and back Obama.

"There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough
delegates to get the nomination," Leahy said. "She ought to withdraw and she ought to be backing Senator Obama. Now, obviously that's a decision that only she can make. Frankly I feel that she would have a tremendous career in the Senate."

VIDEO: Sen. Patrick Leahy explains his view that the ongoing political tussling between Obama and Clinton may be helping McCain’s candidacy.

Here's the full transcript:
(Host) Will a protracted battle between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination hurt the Party's chances of winning the November election?

Senator Patrick Leahy, who supports Obama, says the answer is yes, and he thinks Clinton should drop out of the race.

But Clinton's supporters in Vermont have a very different opinion.

VPR's Bob Kinzel reports:

(Kinzel) It's a question that's being raised in political discussions on the radio, on TV, in newspapers and in the blogs.

And the results of a new poll highlight the danger for the Democrats if their presidential primary contest gets any nastier.

According to a new Gallup poll, 28% of Hillary Clinton's supporters say
they'd vote for GOP candidate John McCain if Barack Obama wins the
Democratic nomination and 19% of Obama's supporters say they'd vote for
McCain if Clinton is the Party's nominee.

Senator Patrick Leahy, who's a super delegate supporting Obama, is clearly
worried about this situation:

(Leahy) "I am very concerned. John McCain, who has been making one gaffe
after another, is getting a free ride on it because Senator Obama and
Senator Clinton have to fight with each other. I think that her criticism
is hurting him more than anything John McCain has said. I think that's
unfortunate."

(Kinzel) Leahy says it's virtually impossible for Clinton to win more
elected delegates than Obama, and as a result, he thinks it's time for her
to accept defeat:

(Leahy) "There is no way that Senator Clinton is going to win enough
delegates to get the nomination. She ought to withdraw and she ought to be
backing Senator Obama. Now, obviously that's a decision that only she can
make. Frankly I feel that she would have a tremendous career in the Senate."

(Kinzel) Former Governor Madeleine Kunin is the co-chair of the Clinton
campaign in Vermont. She thinks Leahy is dead wrong on this issue:

(Kunin) "It is premature, to tell her to drop out now is just unfair
because it isn't over. Admittedly, it's tough for Senator Clinton to get a
majority of the delegates but it's not over till it's over. It seems a bit
patronizing to tell her 'Honey, you know you've got to drop out for the
good of the Party.' Sure it's not easy, but I think the process has to go
forward as it was designed to go."

(Kinzel) And Kunin thinks, in the end, the Democrats will unite behind one
of these candidates:

(Kunin) "I think both Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary
Clinton know that what everybody wants in the Democratic party is a winner
and some of this is just inevitable. But I think they will unite and I'm
confident that judging by the turnout at every democratic primary which has
been unprecedented that Democrats will do very well in November."

(Kinzel) It's likely that roughly 800 super delegates will ultimately
decide this race. Vermont has 7 super delegates - five are supporting
Obama, one is backing Clinton and one person - former governor and now
D.N.C. chairman Howard Dean is neutral.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

I agree!! Now, finally someone is making sense!!

Dante (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:51 AM)

The dominoes are starting to fall. The party heads are realizing that they can lose this election if the infighting continues. I expect many more Super Delegates to follow in the very near future.

Todd, OH (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:53 AM)

Okay, I will give her until Indiana, but then if she could drop out I would honestly have admiration for her!!

Kym (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:54 AM)

Keep dreaming Leahy. Won't happen. Your "boy" O'Bama may get the nomination but Dems will lose in
November. I would never vote for him for anything.

Delores Rose-Kennedy in Tennessee (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:54 AM)

Pundits and Politicians were fools following New Hampshire. They were fools following Texas and Ohio and they are going to be major fools if they don't wait to vote until the 600K Puerto Rican voters close the popular vote gap in favor of Hillary Clinton. As Bette Davis would say, "Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night."

Margaret, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:55 AM)

Come on Clinton ride on the Obama wave!!

Obama 08

Obama rocks (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:56 AM)

I am ashamed of these so called senator and DNC representatives, call for Clinton to step down, before ALL AMERICAN'S CAN VOTE! This type of attitude will cause more democrats and independents to vote for McCain. What is the democratic party so afraid of that more trash about Obama will come out and Hillary might just win the nomination!

jp,michigan (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:58 AM)

YEP, and we just got casey in Penn
Drop out Clinton. ITS OVER

Nj (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:00 PM)

If had a shred if dignity or even a small piece of courage she'd seize the chance to unify the party around Obama. Unfortunately for all of us, she does not and will lead the Republicans to victory in Nov.

It is on her shoulders to do the right thing, I do not think she has it in her.

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com/

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:01 PM)

Time fo the Party leaders to step up and end this mess. Obama needs their full support.

John Hansard Friona, Texas (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:01 PM)

I suspect ITS beginning.

Interestingly enough, I have never felt the need for her to drop out. I suspect that if she drops out now we might have wondered if she could have shown some momentum (I'm hoping not but its important to show her lack of momentum too) and then people might have felt cheated (even though a great many Dem. Primary contests have wound down without each state "counting").

But I have felt that unless she stops this kitchen sink, this scorched earth, this Tonya Harding knee-capping, then she makes them both look horrid and hurts Dem. chances in the general. I am choosing to tune out now. I've had it with her. So whether she drops out or stays in, it is no matter to me.

But it would appear that it is beginning. And that's fine with me too. I voted for Obama Feb. 5th and feel stronger about him now more than ever. Of course should the race continue I would likely to feel even stronger for him...so I guess we're back to it not truly mattering to me.

Thanks for the coverage First Read, its allowed me to keep up and have my voice heard at the same time.

ps, that Peggy Noonan article was fabulous.

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:02 PM)

I agree.

LOL, a "tremendous career in the Senate."

adam/nyc (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:03 PM)

Leahy is from Vermont, the same place as Crazy Dean.
Oh please!!!

Pam, NC (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:03 PM)

The "Machine" is starting to get rusty!! The house is starting to crumble! The "Big Boys" are starting to line up and telling Hillary that they don't want to play with her anymore! This has GOT to be hard for Hillary, doesn't it? She thought Obama was a fly in her soup in the beginning. Someone to brush away. Looks like the American people don't want to play with her anymore either. She needs to bow out. And the lady in Tenn who won't vote for Obama for anything. Don't. It's okay. We have enough youg, progressive, THINKING adults that will put him in the White House, right where he belongs!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:04 PM)

The ultimate goal is to win the White House, not to drag this on until you win the nomination. The nomination means nothing if you show up in the general election exhausted and beaten up. That only gives McCAIN a super advantage. Democrats are forgetting that it's the White House we are after.

JT (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:04 PM)

Quote of the Day from Obama on ABC the VIEW: "Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church," the senator said.

Clinton = Economy

Pam NC (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:04 PM)

You obama people will NOT shut down the remaining primaries like you shut down the revotes in Michigan and Florida. Everyone's vote should be counted and the process needs to play itself out. If obama can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. There are still 9 more primaries to go. Hillary would probably be ahead by the end of this if the delegates from Michigan and Florida were counted. Obama's win may seem illegitimate.

William, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:04 PM)

Hillary we all know that you want to be president but please "let it go". You have certainly paved the way for a woman to become president and you will be viewed favorably in history for this.....if it ends soon.....otherwise you will be viewed as "kicking and screaming" til the end.

garyd, amherst, nh (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:04 PM)

What if (just supposing) McCain comes out against the war during the Republican convention? What if he says "We won and it is now time to bring the troops home"? Bill and Hillary have praised him to the extent that he is an acceptable candidate. If she was the nominee, McCain could destroy her on all issues including her experience, honesty (lack of), trustworthiness (lack of), character - honor - integrity (lack of). Then he could say, even Bill and Hillary think I (McCain) am a qualified candidate.

What does Former Governor Kunin think about the "Gang of 21"'s attempt to blackmail the DNC, and Hillary's introduction of race into the campaign? How does she think that plays with the young new Democrats and the majority of independents? Remember, the independents are independent exactly because they do not go along with or accept those type of practices. Will they switch allegiance from Obama to Hillary even though she used latrine level (gutter is too high for her) politics?

MBM, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:05 PM)

The polls are tied. Why are the Obama supporters so afraid to continue? Are they worried about what we will find out? I'm so disgusted by the lack of respect in this campaign, I have switched to Independent. If Hillary or Obama wins I'm not sure I will vote for either one. The dems have shown no responsibility in standing up to Bush. They have shown they have no ability to lead. This campaign is their last chance to show us what they are made of. Quit trying to stop it.

Rose Mn (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:06 PM)

While I completely agree with what Senator Leahy said, I think the Obama campaign and it's supporters need to be very careful about pushing this issue too hard (no matter how true it may be). If high-profile campaign insiders and endorsers start increasingly making direct statements such as the one made here, we're going to see a backlash from the Clinton campaign and supporters in which they frame it as the Obama campaign "strong-arming" or "pressuring" her to drop-out without "letting the remaing state's voices be heard". As silly as that line of attack may seem, it is just the kind of spin that could manage garner sympathy towards the Clinton campaign and in turn hurt the current momentum of the Obama campaign.

I personally think this race should be over with by now and believe that by avoiding the inevitable in the way Clinton has, we are serving only to further divide and hurt the Democratic party and our chances of victory in November.

Chad in Houston, TX (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:06 PM)

Can someone please tell Leahy, Dodd, Kerry, Kennedy, and whoever else wants Clinton to drop out that the people don't want her to. In fact, the more they holler for her to go, the more I want her to stay and win. Where were any of these guys in trying to help FL and Michigan get their DNC approved revotes? These guys are extremely elitist and don't want the people from PA, IN, NC, WV, KY or anyone else to have a vote. They have spoken so we should all bow down and thank them! Forget it!

Lightning, StPetersburg,FL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:06 PM)

MBM, Chicago, IL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:07 PM)

Clinton: Seriously, what...is...the...point? After all the remaining contests, Obama is HIGHLY projected to still be in the lead in pledged delegates and popular vote count. Furthermore, he will need only about 30% (compared to your 70%) of the superdelegates for the nomination. So, in the absense of a strong-armed superdelegate coup by you, you have NO CHANCE!!!

If the party allows for the all the remaining primaries to take place we end up with the candidate we are already probably going to have anyway and an opponent who has had months to create himself a Presidential image and higher poll numbers. Is that what you really want? Are the rumors true...are you looking forward to 2012?

Quit running the GOP's race for them. Quit now, and forever hold your peace!

Jaime, Lantana, FL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:07 PM)

So a well established and known supporter of Obama thinks Clinton should withdraw from teh race.....

How is this news?

campdog (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:07 PM)

Nah, she doesn't have to drop out. Leahy can say what he wants, though, they ARE politicians for heaven's sake. She'll drop out all by herself on April 23. He'll beat her FAIR AND SQUARE, JUST AS HE HAS BEEN DOING. :-)

squintz, philly, pa (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:08 PM)

It's a fight for second place. Who really cares?
Clinton was a fairly bad choice for a woman (hopefully she hasn't ruined it for the rest of us), and Obama is a cheat.

Misti, Indy (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:08 PM)

I don't think the first viable woman candidate should just drop out because some male politician who supports Obama says so. I think every vote should be cast. I would say the same for Obama. If he was 123 delegats down, I don't think the first viable black candidate should drop out until all votes are cast. Both of these candidates mean too much to future minorities, and to future women running for President, for them to just give up because the media wants them to without out all the states voting. Only a white male politician could be so patronizing towards a female Presidential candidate.

Rochester, NY (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:08 PM)

It's about time a super-delegate stands up and is the tell the public the fact & truth. It is time for Hillary to hang-up the gloves & mask.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:09 PM)

This message is for DELORES-ROSE KENNEDY of Tennessee: Why did emphasize the term "boy?" Could it be you are racist? Enquiring minds want to know.

David - Washington, DC (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:09 PM)

Sen. Leahey (and countless others) is right: Clinton should graciously drop out of the race like Romney did, and support Obama. Hanging on to the end only damages her great party.

John Mehan, San Francisco, CA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:09 PM)

Come on Hillary, admit that the "historic black candidate" that you wanted to talk about in your victory and campaign speeches - as the one you beat - has now beat you. That can happen.
If you are a real grown up - not a little girl with a temper problem - bow out gracefully.

Sara, Wisconsin (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:09 PM)

This is disgusting. If the other Candidate were a man no one would think on trampling on that candidates rights or supporters.

You are talking about trampling on all of Hillary's supporters.

You will all regret this. We are going to count big in Nov. whether we vote for NADER or sit out or VOTE for McCAIN you will pay for your rudeness and dismissiveness.

Hillary if you can hear me in your heart, please fight to the end. Lets NOT give up. We women are strong.

Ann Smith (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:10 PM)

Why should Hillary give up. They are almost even. She is the one who can beat McCain. Obamas 20 year association with a racist pastor and a criminal (Rezko) has proven he is unelectable. The republicans are going to destroy him. Obama is not a uniter, he is the one who is diving us. Obama should quit immediately.

The dream ticket:
Hillary Clinton/Harold Ford Jr.

laura in miami, florida (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:11 PM)

This Vermont constituent thanks you, Sen. Leahy, for publicly expressing what many Vermonters are thinking. Let's hope your voice is heard!

Vermont Mom for Obama (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:11 PM)

No, it's far from over!! Why is everyone rushing to crown Obama king before next month's primaries??? Why should it be her??? Why is everyone so infatuated with a guy who's got fine rhetoric but very little experience????

I can tell you that I will not vote for Obama if he is nominated. I'm seriously thinking about writing in Al Gore.

Conshohocken, PA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:11 PM)

To MissDelores Rose-Kennedy in Tennessee,I'm a Obama fan, however if the shoe was on the other foot and Miss Clinton was the winner, I would vote for her, I don't know why you would not vote for him for anything. Then again, you are from Tennesse and probably would not vote for him even if he was Jesus.

Edward Jones, Hinesville, Georgia (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:12 PM)

It is ridiculous for some people out there start asking Hillary to get out of the race. Why are tehy so afraid? teh point is taht no one has the mayority to win either, so, why it has to be Hillary? OBAMA can get out tooo, don tyou think?

STOP ASKIGN HILLARY TO LEAVE THE RACE. only mediocre people give up.

ONLY MEDIOCRE PEOPLE GIVE UP.... Obama can get off too.

joan (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:12 PM)

Senator Leahy

BO is leading by (roughly) ahead by 3% of the popular vote in the democratic primary (w/o FL and MI). Neither candidate is above 50% of the vote. BO casts himself as the great uniter, but somehow he cannot even win a plurality of voters who have 90% agreement on the issues. How can you believe BO that he will unite voters of all beliefs when he (and HRC) have split the vote in the democratic party? The facts don't match his rhetoric.

In addition, with the current dislike of the current administration, challengers are usually 10 - 15 points ahead in the spring, with the race tightening in the fall. BO is currently in the margin of error against Senator McCain.

It is obvious from the current polling that
a) HRC supporters are more passionate about their candidate judging by the fact they will not vote for BO in the general.
b) HRC polls better in the battleground states against McCain than does BO this argues that she is more electable than BO. (Check the current polls in NJ where McCain is beating BO and losing to HRC)
c) Many of BO supporters claim to be Republican or Independent so the case can be argued that HRC has actually won the majority of Democratic Party voters.
d) BO outspent HRC 2.5 to 1 and still lost Ohio. He is outspending her by roughly the same ratio in PA. If cannot win why do think he will there in GE?
e) If he is the post-racial candidate why is winning over 90% of the black vote and under 30% of the white vote? Does this not suggest that his supporters are engaging in identity politics and not post-racial politics?
f) How does this support affect his standing with other minorities that HRC has consistently won a majority of voters?

By these points I conclude that HRC is the most electable candidate that the Democratic Party could nominate and call on BO to stop being divisive and drop out of the race.

Alan, NJ (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:12 PM)

I think that people calling for her to drop out before the end of the primary season is because they sense wisely that she is only trying to force a victory her way at any cost because she, like Bill, hates to fail anything. No matter how the rest of Americans vote, her 37% net positive rating illustrates Clinton's desperation and self-centerednessin the effort to win to fulfill her career ambitions, not to serve America.
I guess it will take a MAJOR gaffe in the form of violating the law to convince stubborn Clinton supporters to realize that she is not trying to win for the sake of American democracy.

Bull the Dog (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:12 PM)

oh no! delores rose! obama is losing the brain dead moron in Tennessee vote!

the bipolar bear (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:12 PM)

In past years the democratic nominee was usually sewn up relatively quickly. The other candidates saw they had no real shot of winning ad bowed out gracefully. No one care that countless states did not get to have a voice. Jus tlike you do not hear any of the Repubs crying b/c their nominee is in waiting. A lot of Repubs are luke warm about McCain but will rally around him for the good of the party. Hello Democrats can we get it together. We want our agenda recognized right. Or do we want at least 4 more years of the Repubs???? Right now Barack is the most deserving at least to me. Let's jsut rally around him and call it a day and ride the Obama wave to November and than on to the White House!!!

Kris STL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:13 PM)

laura in miami, florida (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:13 PM)

HRC needs to drop out - the voters, state, delegates have spoken - the math will not change, we all know it - it's time to unite the party - about the only people keeping HRC in the race are Fox News - and we know their motive - and interesting enough - Wolf B of the Clinton News Network (CNN). Isn't it time the media be truthful as well - they know the math doesnt' work, yet Clinton News Network keeps proping HRC up for ratings and ad dollars - what a shame.

tp

Tony, Tulsa, OK (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:14 PM)

Again. I do not believe many of the hate Clinton posters here are really democrats. Any one who uses conservative talking points to attack Clinton are no better then Zell Miller/Joe Lieberman.

Patrick Casey. Salt Lake City,UT (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:14 PM)

Clinton should drop out of the race, tomorrow morning at 3 a.m.

This perhaps would both satisfy her fixation with that time and also satisfy her spitefulness of not getting what she wants by waking Obama up with by ringing his phone at that hour.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:14 PM)

H I L L A R Y, DONT LISTEN TO THOSE LOOSERS, the are not fighter, they dont know what does it mean to fight, THEY WANT EVERYTHING EASY AND ON THE TABLE. why they dont ask Obama to left the race? they may be afraid to be asking for Hillary to get off.

WHY ARE THEY AFRAID OF? THAT HILLARY WILL WIN?

joan chicago il (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:15 PM)

Some people posting apparently have not done the math on this one. Folks, if a candidate gets at least 15% of the votes in any district, he or she takes 1/3 of the delegates. Now, Senator Clinton does not receive 70% of the vote, much less 85%. If Senator Obama gets 1/3 of the available delegates in every state (which he will do) all he needs are an additional 11 delegates to end ahead of Senator Clinton (which he will get, plus many more). Please do the math and you will see -- Senator Obama is going to end this nominating contest ahead in actual votes cast.

If you are advocating for the superdelegates to take this away from the pledged delegates (actual votes cast), Senator Clinton needs 72% of those. The superdelegates could do this today, tomorrow or at any time. So, if they haven't done this now, what makes you think they will do it in June or August? If Senator Clinton were running a positive campaign all of this would be a different story -- but, as even her most ardent supporters are well aware, she is not running a positive campaign. If you want Senator McCain to get a headstart, you could not have picked a better scenario -- which is exactly what Rush Limbaugh is talking about as he runs "Operation Chaos."

Kim, Pasadena, CA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:16 PM)

The Superdelegates are not insane. They will not allow the entire Democratic Party to be torn asunder on the whims of Sen. Clinton. If the roles were reversed and Obama had lost 11 contests in a row he would have been "tarred and feathered" and ran out of town on a rail. To see a visual of that, watch the John Adams series on HBO.

Hillary's negatives keep climbing higher and higher. Her constant rationales and attacks are becoming more childish and slimy by the day. A desperate person is a dangerous person. Once she went on Fox News and said that she wants to take it to the convention she showed that she will destroy the Party and doesn't give a damn about the voice of the people.

C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:18 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
War is hell on the home front too. When HRC isn't taking sniper fire in Bosnia or bring peace to Ireland her own party is trying to take her out.

twocanpete (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 12:18 PM)

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