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Rangel: Clinton should get on with it
June 04, 2008 3:20 PM
ABC News' Kate Snow Reports: One of Hillary Clinton’s most loyal backers on Capitol Hill is voicing frustration about the position she has put her supporters in.
In an interview with ABC News, Rep. Charles Rangel said he thinks it is time for Clinton to publicly clarify what she is doing and allow her supporters to switch their allegiance to Barack Obama.
“Unless she has some good reasons-- which I can’t think of-- I really think we ought to get on with endorsements (of Obama) and dealing with what we have to deal with… so we can move forward,” Rangel said.
Rangel last spoke with Senator Clinton privately on Tuesday during the day. On Wednesday he took part in a conference call Clinton had with the NY congressional delegation.
Asked why the Senator told supporters Tuesday night that she needed more time to consider her future, Rangel said: “I have no clue.”
In fact, Rangel said he was surprised by last night’s speech.
“Basically in talking with her I had the idea that, one, she wasn't going to take the fight to the convention. Two-- that she was just calling her friends and supporters in order to share her views and to get our views on what should happen. And it was abundantly clear to me last night that she was going to do all that she could to make sure we have a victory in November. And since we have only one candidate for that victory in November, I had assumed she would be endorsing Obama.”
Since Senator Clinton did not endorse Obama and did not concede the nomination, Rangel said members of the NY delegation were feeling torn about what to do.
“The NY congressional delegation encouraged her to run for President. So we feel some obligation to stay with her as long as we can” to give Clinton some time and space he said.
“We just have to have a better answer as to why it helps her to victory… as to why we’re not endorsing Obama when the only person left to endorse is Obama.”
“It’s awkward for us for us who are known to be her strongest supporters in the NY delegation not to be able to answer the question of how long is it going to take before you can endorse?” he added later.
Rangel also told ABC News that he does not think the path to the vice presidency should involve a negotiation between Clinton supporters and the Obama campaign.
“Common sense would dictate if you want to get on the ticket you don't do it by leaning heavily on the person who makes the decision. So I don't think pressure is something that should be used,” he said.
Rangel also dismissed the idea of having the Congressional Black Caucus put pressure on Obama to include Clinton on the ticket.
“I think it's a dumb policy to do that – to be telling the person who won what he should be doing.”
Rangel also said he’s not sure the vice presidency is what Senator Clinton is after.
“The fact that she said that she would be willing to serve as vice president doesn’t necessarily mean that she’s seeking the vice president’s job.”
June 4, 2008 in Bush, George W. | Permalink | User Comments (200)
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She should've gotten on with it months ago. She has been racking up a huge debt and now what? She wants Obama to pay it off? Wants a VP spot? Maybe she is waiting around to see if there is an RFK repeat. She has made each of these suggestions at some level... I don't support Obama by any means, but I am tired of even hearing Hillary's name.
Collin
Posted by: Collin Williams | Jun 4, 2008 3:26:57 PM
I wish everybody would leave Hillary alone. This is not easy for her. She has campaigned for 16 months straight and traveled thousands of miles. Let this sink in and let her decide her next move. I believe she will concede this week or next. What is the hurry. I'm a Hillary supporter and if people keep pushing her and disrespecting her, there will be hell to pay in November.
Posted by: Lois, California | Jun 4, 2008 3:33:27 PM
As an American, not a candidate, not a politician, just an American like the rest of us-- for HRC to not recognize and honor this historic moment in our collective history--when the first African-American became a nominee for President of this great land is-- PATHETIC.
She OBVIOUSLY DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT ANYTHING OR ANYBODY BUT HERSELF. She doesn’t care about the people of this country, its future, or the Democratic Party. She doesn’t deserve to lead us in any capacity and I’m hoping that Barack Obama DOES NOT CHOOSE HER for Vice President.
A WHITE WOMAN, IN FLORIDA, FOR OBAMA!
Posted by: Gerri | Jun 4, 2008 3:35:16 PM
What a historic occasion. For the first time, our nation will have an black man as a presidential candidate. Barack Obama, his family, his supporters and our nation should be able to enjoy and savor the impact of this momentous milestone.
Instead, the main topics of conversation in the MSM on television and online are Hillary Clinton's speech and her refusal to concede - instead of congratulating Barack Obama on winning the nomination.
Once again, Hillary shows that she is not a team player and that she is totally lacking in dignity, grace and class - qualities that I would like in the leader of our nation that represents us to the rest of the world.
Posted by: Carpe Diem | Jun 4, 2008 3:40:21 PM
"Rangel also said he’s not sure the vice
presidency is what Senator Clinton is after."
I've seen some pundits making the claim that Hillary wants to be publicly offered the veep position so that she can publicly reject it. Put that upstart "golden boy" in his place as it were.
And that she wants to wield a veto over his veep selection, prohibiting the selection of another woman, because that would, or might, diminish her carefully self-developed status as chief "aggrieved woman".
Posted by: Lee C. ― U.S.A. | Jun 4, 2008 3:42:33 PM
"for HRC to not recognize and honor this historic moment in our collective history--when the first African-American became a nominee for President of this great land is-- PATHETIC. " Gerri, many of us are voting against Obama because we're voting no to threats and insults from Obama supporters LIKE YOU! We're voting no to the media bias and DNC bias against Hillary since the start. We're voting no to sexist, racist treatment of Hillary supporters! We're voting no to scare tactics by Obama supporters! We're voting no to bullying by Obama supporters! We're voting no to Obama supporter silence when racist, bigoted remarks fly from other Obama supporters. We're voting no to this cycle of abuse from Obama supporters!! We've had enough of abusive Obama supporters and we're saying NO! We're rising up, standing up and voting NO!! NO MEANS NO!!!
Posted by: former dem in chicago | Jun 4, 2008 3:42:43 PM
Hillary made the most out standing speeh last night and today at Aipec why did it take so long for this AIPEC meeting to reach out to Isreal? a least there going the right direction wake up Oprah it not all about you stop the racism get real
Posted by: gg | Jun 4, 2008 3:43:26 PM
rangel-another brother you can trust. not!
Posted by: ron | Jun 4, 2008 3:43:45 PM
Gerri -
For anyone, any american, any woman, to not recognize what Hillary Clinton just accomplished and to honor this historic moment in our collective history -- when the first serious female contender for President forced a 50-state primary and emerged within a margin of winning - PATHETIC.
You obviously don't have any appreciation or respect for what it takes to reach and maintain the level of candidacy that Hillary presented. You obviously don't care about the impact on future women candidates, on the girls growing up today knowing that it can happen, on the future of a Democratic party that has historically relied on 50%+ participation of women voters, or on the need to make sure that the core groups supporting Clinton (Hispanics, religious Democrats, white working class) feel they're being respected and heard and welcomed into the new regime.
Posted by: KLB | Jun 4, 2008 3:44:33 PM
i thought he was beyond race...it is a big deal cause he is black; that is racism. judge a person by character not by race you double standard playing people.
Posted by: ron | Jun 4, 2008 3:45:26 PM
This democrat and his family will not vote for Obama.
If not Hillary, John McCain all the way!
Posted by: Joe | Jun 4, 2008 3:46:44 PM
DON'T vote for radical Obama in November. Just look at all his white-bashing church friends.
If anyone only cares about himself, it's Obama.
Posted by: Henry | Jun 4, 2008 3:47:02 PM
She didn't have a post-Super Tuesday plan, so I guess it should surprise no one that she doesn't have a post-Primary plan either. She and her supporters convinced themselves they were "inevitable" and would have the nomination wrapped up by Super Tuesday. And now the Clinton Camp just can't believe that it's over. Sounds to me like the exact same mentality Scott McClelland just outlined in his new book about the Bush administration's stance in Iraq - no plan, ignoring the facts, pressing on as if nothing is wrong...
Posted by: just a thought | Jun 4, 2008 3:47:54 PM
How amusing Rangel thinks Hillary should "allow" her supporters to shift their allegiance to Obama. That's predicated on the notion that we actually want to shift our allegiance. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
Posted by: Emily | Jun 4, 2008 3:49:06 PM
former dem in Chicago - you may be voting no to Obama and his supporters, but in doing so you are voting YES to indefinite war in Iraq, continued tax-cuts to the riches Americans, to overturning Roe V. Wade. If you are truly voting no on Obama and therefore yes to these very important issues, then I don't know how you could have ever been a Dem.
Posted by: Word | Jun 4, 2008 3:49:54 PM
Lois, with all due respect - if Hillary wants to be treated like one of the boys, then she needs to behave like one.
She's is becoming seemingly delusional (poor reflection on all women)in by not accepting the fact that she has lost.
Sincerely,
An Indiana mom
Posted by: Lynne | Jun 4, 2008 3:50:23 PM
former dem in chicago,
Instead of voting against a candidate, why don't you vote for a candidate?
Posted by: Matt | Jun 4, 2008 3:51:23 PM
disgusting voting for mccain
i hope we correct your errors and elect the proper candidate
voting against obama out of spite
sorry but that is just pathetic
Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 4, 2008 3:51:30 PM
Charles Rangel says Hillary Clinton should "allow her supporters to switch their allegiance to Barack Obama."
Oh, really?
Like changing your shirt, Mr. Rangel?
I don't think so.
This assumption is based on the erroneous idea that there is no difference between Barack Hussein Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Such an assumption is, of course, ludicrous.
They are both nominally Democrats, but one has been stabbed in the back while the other was finagled into the nomination (an Obamanation).
As a former Hillary Clinton supporter who wasted $300 on her campaign, I have absolutely NO intention of "switching" to BHO. Never.
My vote now goes to John McCain in the only election where I can be sure my vote will be counted, not thrown in the trash by party bosses and power brokers.
Change? Yeah, right! This primary "election" was more corrupt than anything Bush was involved in!
Posted by: Rhys | Jun 4, 2008 3:52:18 PM
Emily - hi again!!
I really think that if you will support high taxes, loss of work, more jobs sent overseas, more crumbling of our infrastructure and more years in Iraq - just to keep from supporting Obama and the Democratic party, then you need to remember the old saying:
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
Posted by: Lynne | Jun 4, 2008 3:52:58 PM
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