Uncommitted Super-Delegate: We Want The Race To Be Over This Week
In a further sign that uncommitted super-delegates are poised to step in and endorse Barack Obama in order to end the Democratic race after tonight, uncommitted Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA) told the New York Times that while many super-dels are sitting still for the moment, there is definitely an urge to get the race over and done with by the end of the week.
"We want to hear from Senator Clinton; she deserves the right to make her statement," said Altmire. "But I'm not fine with it proceeding. I think it's incredibly damaging at the end of the process for it to continue on."
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I'd like to think that Clinton would do the right thing and exit gracefully tonight.
That I'm not at all sure that she will do that shows how badly she has hurt herself over these past couple of months. And if she tries to continue things beyond tomorrow, then it proves that she is beyond hope and beyond help, indeed proves that Andrew Sullivan is correct when he labels her a "sociopath" ...
June 3, 2008 8:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary Clinton do the right thing in this primary race? Isn't that an oxymoron?
June 3, 2008 9:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. So is "Clinton" and "gracefully."
June 3, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
DUH!
June 3, 2008 8:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Being a former first lady and a sitting senator, it's admirable that the super-delegates are giving Ms Clinton the respect to exit on her own terms.
It's unfortunate that this historic contest was not handled by all parties with a similar respect for the candidates, the process, and the voters. This could have been such a magical primary election, yet all too often it was plagued with ugliness and pettiness and bitterness.
Now that it appears over, I hope that all sides can come together to ensure that we win in November.
June 3, 2008 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Every day these people are afraid to make a decision is a day the Democrats lose to McCain. Get over it and endorse. I'm bored with the Hamlet routine.
June 3, 2008 9:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really, it's very easy to end this race for you guys, so don't ask others to do it first. Everyone of you can provide 4 % of what Obama needs to end the race (8 % if you count in the pledged delegates he gets today).
June 3, 2008 9:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the behavior of the superdelegates during this primary season is the biggest reason to get rid of them. They're supposed to be the party elders and step in and ensure the process works. Instead, they have been exposed as cowards who need political cover to take a stand. Superdelegates put themselves in place merely to ensure they could attend the convention, instead of going through the delegate selection process like regular people. They're an embarrassment
June 3, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
There is NO EXCUSE to wait any longer than Wed evening to endorse or announce who they support. NONE!
Hillary will know all her statistics by late tonight - she can reporte her side tomorrow for those still UNSURE (which I find very hard to believe is true).
For those that already KNOW they want Obama -- they should be endorsing TODAY!
June 3, 2008 9:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
THIS!
June 3, 2008 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
AM
June 3, 2008 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
BEIN'
June 3, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
THE BESTEST!!!
June 3, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD WHAT SHE PLANS!!
Just Christ, I'm tired of these spineless superdelegates. She has clearly stated that she doesn't intend to stop until we have an official nominee, that means she won't stop until enough superdelegates back Obama to push him over the top. These people need to grow backbones and finish it, this is ridiculous. We'll be waiting until August if these idiots want to wait until Hillary concedes while Obama is just a few votes shy of sealing the deal.
June 3, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
And that was Jesus F-ing Christ.
June 3, 2008 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
My fear is that she'll take this to the convention where the nomination becomes official. Under this "until we have a nominee" premise, she can (if she finds the money) keep going like Ron Paul and the Energizer Bunnies until the gavel comes down.
June 3, 2008 10:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Relax folks - it's over in a few hours. Obama will pass the mark tonight. She'll endorse him by Friday. She doesn't want to have her biggest supporters like Schumer start announcing they're switching to Obama, calling for her to quit, forcing her out. It would be humiliating. Besides, she needs Obama's help eliminating her massive debt.
It's over.
June 3, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus, this endless posturing from superdelegates is absolutely infuriating. Senator Clinton won't concede -- or even move definitively towards concession -- until Obama has the numbers. He needs the superdelegates to deliver that number tonight. Delivering Obama the numbers tonight isn't a slight to Senator Clinton, it's simply the final step towards a finish line long in site.
Why do superdelegates feel the need to politely honoring Senator Clinton's delusion? The race is OVER. Now is the time to endorse. If Senator Clinton still thinks she can win by making her case to Obama's endorsers, still-uncommitted superdelegates and (eventually) the Credentials Committee, then so be it.
I hope, looking back, this excess of decorum, we find it helped create a smooth transition towards a party under Obama's lead. For the time being, the superdelegate hesitation looks a lot more like political cowardice.
June 3, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
What exactly do they want to hear from the clintons? They have been saying the same thing for months now. It's nothing new. This is really annoying.
June 3, 2008 10:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
To all those that think that Hillary will not come out swinging for Obama after she concedes, think about this for a sec....
Do you really think she'll want to to sit in the Senate for 4 years dealing with veto after veto from a Republican president? Especially if she wants to push through massive health care reform? That WILL be her legacy.
She would make a great, but divisive president. We need a true uniter for commander-in-chief while we use her bat-shit crazy tenacity on our side in the trenches.
June 3, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't get the Hillary fans who say I won't vote for Barack, I'll vote McCain instead (or not at all). I guess they want to see another two or three of Scalias or Alitos on the Supreme court, and the Iraq war go on for another 4 or 8 years. Way to go people! That's the way to stand up for your principles! How ironic that many claiming to be feminists might help get Roe vs Wade overturned.
June 3, 2008 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
They are giving her one more oportunity to show some grace and admit reality. They are letting her know that she has a choice about how this ends. If she fails the test they will come down on her like a ton of bricks, but a polite ton of bricks.
June 3, 2008 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Folks:
Calm down. Take a look at it from a US Senator's perspective. They each want to get reelected. To do that means that always must take care not to alienate a sizable portion of those who voted you into office. There are a good number of Senator Clinton supporters in each of their states. They have to be careful not to get them riled up by appearing to have pushed Senator Clinton out, instead of letting her blow the game whistle.
You need to keep in mind what Tip O'Neill taught us.
"All politics is local". That is why the elected super delegates are not issuing an eviction notice to Senator Clinton. It would hurt them back home.
It will all be settle within the next forty eight hours. Take a deep breath.
June 3, 2008 11:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
It will all be settled
June 3, 2008 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's a bit strange that an "uncommitted delegate" is saying they want it to be over soon. Then commit, you moron.
June 3, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink