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Obama-Backing Senator Calls for Clinton to Drop Out

March 28, 2008 9:46 AM

Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vermont, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a high-profile supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, has called for Obama's opponent to drop out of the race.

In an interview on Vermont Public Radio, said "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."

Listen to a clip from the interview HERE.

Leahy said he was fretting about the impact of the protracted Democratic race.

"I am very concerned," he said. "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."

Campaigning in Mishawaka, Indiana Friday, Clinton didn't specifically address Leahy's comments, reports ABC News' Eloise Harper.

But Clinton did say, "There are some people who are saying, you know, we really ought to end this primary, we ought to shut it down."

"No!" the crowd shouted.

"There was a poll the other day that said 22 percent of democrats want me to drop out and 22 percent  want Senator Obama to drop out and 62 percent said let people vote," Clinton said. "One thing you know about me when I tell you I will fight for you I will get up every day and that's exactly what I will do."

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

Clinton also suggested working for the American people is her calling.

"I believe going to work for you is what I am  called to do," she said.

- jpt

March 28, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (543)

User Comments

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Erin...let's see the "negative" ratings after the rest of the elections. Obama is dropping and will continue to. She has EVERY right to stay in this race

(sorry mis-typing in previous post should have said after not have)

Posted by: Debbie | Mar 29, 2008 1:13:19 PM

Erin...let's see the "negative" ratings have the rest of the elections. Obama is dropping and will continue to. She has EVERY right to stay in this race

Posted by: Debbie | Mar 29, 2008 1:11:45 PM

Danielle wow, telling him to shut up, that's telling him.

Posted by: ll | Mar 29, 2008 1:07:29 PM

Why drag this out any longer, she won't win. Her negative rating is too low

Posted by: erin | Mar 29, 2008 1:02:27 PM

Let the voters decide. Hillary is not that far behind. The Dem Party wants their dream boy to win so badly, they don't even want this to be about votes. First they whined about superdelegates voting the way their states did. What about Mass.? What about NM ? Hillary won those and she isn't getting those superdelegates and that is alright with the Obama folks now. He is just a show pony, or is that phoney?

Posted by: KC+1701 | Mar 29, 2008 12:58:18 PM

The only predictable thing in this race is a bunch of old white men telling Clinton to get out of the race. I e-mailed Leahy and told him his 30-seconds of fame was over and to shut up.

Posted by: Danielle | Mar 29, 2008 12:47:12 PM

The only predictable thing about this democratic race is its unpredictability. May the best man or woman win!

Posted by: katrina | Mar 29, 2008 12:12:33 PM

To the last post with the 2 slashes as a name (I dont know how to type that!)...then so be it. NO ONE SHOULD DROP OUT. Let the remaining states have their vote.

Posted by: Debbie | Mar 29, 2008 12:10:26 PM

OK
We ALL know that all the politicians say exactly what we want to hear, until they are elected, of course. Then it’s all theirs. 43 presidents, all men, have proven this fact!

Why not give a woman a try and see what she can do. I know every time my Mother or Grandmother spoke everyone listened or paid hell for it.

GO Hilary, or should I say Madam President!?!

Posted by: Dis'd n Pis'd | Mar 29, 2008 12:08:41 PM

Of course everyone should vote but ultimately it will be up to the super delegates to decide

Posted by: ll | Mar 29, 2008 11:56:15 AM

Why all the panic about Hillary staying in the race?? Senator Leahy may support Obama but there are many who feel Obama would not be in the lead had voters known about his racist mentor/pastor who he is still making excuses for and remaining loyal to. We knew nothing about Obama when the primaries began other than he delivered a speech well. Now we're learning more about this man and not liking what we're finding out so late in the game... Are Leahy, Kennedy and Dean afraid Hillary will win all the upcoming primaries?? That can be the only reason there is so much panic on the part of Obama backers. But what they need to realize is that the public will be outraged if they don't let the American voters decide. You can only bully someone so long without a reaction. So certain Democrats need to stop bullying Hillary Clinton or people will pull the lever for John McCain in November in retaliation.

Posted by: jhmor | Mar 29, 2008 11:54:56 AM

The more old fogies like Dodd, Kennedy and Leahy keep talking, the worse it will get for Obama. The press and the talking heads have already made neutral folks like me take a stand against voting Obama - If Clinton is not the nominee I may have voted Obama - but now with all these forces piling up on Hillary (may be because she is strong and smart) I will vote for McCain and become a republican - I do not share these old fogies views - they have already messed up the country beyond repair - I hope they get voted out of their states - for a CHANGE in the Senate and their state.

Posted by: hrao | Mar 29, 2008 11:46:35 AM

PS...the polls mean nothing..I've never been polled have you? The polls change all the time. Like I said....let's let the rest of the states have their say.

Posted by: Debbie | Mar 29, 2008 11:03:43 AM

Why doesnt Obama drop out? We still have states that havent voted. I heard Hillary didnt have a chance in Ohio & Texas she should drop out...look what happened there. Of course, Obama wants her to drop out....he's losing ground. NEITHER CANDIDATE will have enough delegates. She has just as much right to stay in the campaign as he does. LET THE AMERICAN PEOPLE finish voting.

Posted by: Debbie | Mar 29, 2008 10:59:06 AM

I think the voters have decided since national polls show Obama 50%, Hillary 42%. I doubt she'll be able to catch up

Posted by: ll | Mar 29, 2008 10:44:39 AM

This barrage against Hillary is too clearly a barrage by certain elements who have a common trait. Observe for yourselves. I believe the party needs to split and create a third party. It does not matter who retains the label of democratic party since the divide is down the middle and equal. Both start well behind the republicans anyway.

Posted by: benvictor | Mar 29, 2008 10:36:44 AM

This is another example of the Obama camp trying to call time before the game is over and attempting to deflect closer scrutiny on them. This is a close contest being fought by two very committed and passionate candidates. Mcain is shadow boxing at the moment! Let the contest continue.
Go Hillary

Posted by: pjm | Mar 29, 2008 10:29:36 AM

This is another example of the Obama camp trying to call time before the game is over and attempting to deflect closer scrutiny on them. This is a close contest being fought by two very committed and passionate candidates. Mcain is shadow boxing at the moment! Let the contest continue.
Go Hillary

Posted by: pjm | Mar 29, 2008 10:29:27 AM

Hillary should stay in the race. Let the voters decide. If Wrightgate had happened 4 months ago, the political landscape would look much different today. Many voters are feeling buyer's remorse.

Americans were shocked when they watched videos of Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Rev. Wright's preaching is a reflection of his world view. Rev. Wright agrees withe world view and teaching of James Cone and Black Liberation Theology.

Voters need to be informed about a candidate's world view. This is not a peripheral issue. Any person aspiring to be our President should undergo that scrutiny. Barack Obama needs to be candid and answer 3 questions.

Why did you choose a spiritual advisor/mentor who agrees with the world view and teaching of James Cone and Black Liberation Theology?

Why didn't you choose a spiritual advisor/mentor who agrees with the world view and teaching of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.? Rev. King warned against "drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred."

Why did you give significant amounts of money during the past 20 years to support Rev. Wright's preaching of Black Liberation Theology?

Rev. Wright and his congregation should be commended for establishing ministries that help people with a variety of needs. However, nearly all churches have ministries that help people with a variety of needs. The good works Rev. Wrright has done does not excuse his unpatriotic and incendiary preaching.

Barack Obama has said he was not in church when Rev. Wright made his unpatriotic and incendiary remarks. That does not matter. Barack Obama understands the world view of his spiritual advisor/mentor for the past 20 years, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Posted by: ConcernedCitizen731 | Mar 29, 2008 10:12:53 AM

I have never heard off the stupid statement "People vote do not count because they didn't follow the rules".

No other country I have ever seen has imposed such STUPID RULES. These rules are stupid. These are not made for American people. These for the party leadrs. We didn't ask these stupid party leaders to make some stupid rules.

Posted by: never heard off | Mar 29, 2008 10:09:20 AM

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