Obama's fine with Clinton running 'as long as she wants'

Sen. Barack Obama seems to have changed his mind about the need for his opponent, Sen. Hillary Clinton, to accept defeat and exit the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Campaigning in Pennsylvania today for that state's April 22 primary, the Illinois senator brushed aside suggestions from political allies like Sen. Patrick Leahy that Clinton should withdraw soon. Obama said the New York senator should "run as long as she wants."

At least, that is, until the last state primary in early June.

"At that point there are no more contests," Obama told reporters after a campaign event in Johnstown, Pa. "And I think it is important to pivot as completely as possible, for the superdelegates or others, to make a decision as quickly as possible so that we can settle on a nominee."

In the meantime, Obama said, he and his rival should have at it.

"My attitude is that Senator Clinton can run as long as she wants," Obama said. "Her name’s on the ballot, and she is a fierce and formidable competitor, and she obviously believes that she would make the best nominee and the best president, and I think that, you know, she should be able to compete and her supporters should be able to support her, for as long as they are willing or able."

Obama said he'd not spoken in advance with Leahy about the Vermont senator's remarks earlier this week suggesting Clinton should withdraw soon to avoid damaging the party's nominee in the general election.

Obama's comments differed from what he said as recently as Friday, which was yesterday. At a Pittsburgh rally, he likened the ongoing Democratic primary campaign to “a good movie that lasted about a half an hour too long.”

--Mike Dorning

Mike Dorning writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington Bureau.

Comments

[What's he beating his gums about now ?]

Who cares what he thinks about Hillary's hanging on. We
certainly dont acknowledge a Papal role for the bum. He
needs to brush up on his bowling and take lessons in
good jugement and convert to a less barbaric cult before
we are faced with a mega disaster that would make
Jonestown look like romper room, regardless of what
governor Judas and the 2 K's from Mass. may spew.
Even John Edwards cant stomach Barack's cheap words
and speeches any longer since he heard Obama villify
his own granny.