BREAKING NEWS: Dean, Pelosi, Reid set Friday deadline for superdelegates' choices, move to force end to Clinton bid

With the final primary concluded barely hours before, top Democratic Party leaders in Washington early this morning ratcheted up the pressure to force all remaining uncommitted superdelegates to make their choice of candidate known by Friday -- and thus end the now hopeless, onetime front-running campaign of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The joint statement was obviously pre-planned and timed for issue shortly after Clinton refused to concede the presidential nomination victory to Barack Obama, who's gained sufficient delegates to clinch the party's nomination.

Howard Dean, right, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, chairman of the Democratic Governors Assn., issued the brief statement for unity just minutes ago:

"The voters have spoken," they said, adding later, "Democrats must now turn our full attention to the general election. To that end, we are urging all remaining uncommitted superdelegates to make their decisions known by Friday of this week, so that our party can stand united."

The carefully worded statement, which does not urge the superdelegates to go one way or the other, is a clear step to force an end to the effort by Clinton, who said Tuesday she would take a few days to consider her options and protect the voices of the nearly 18 million voters who cast ballots for her in recent months. Her hand is now being forced by the Friday deadline.

The move is also a sly one politically, since it leaves Obama free of any appearance of forcing Clinton to quit and thus alienating her millions of supporters, whom the Illinois senator will badly need in the general election come Nov. 4.

In exit polls throughout the just-concluded primary season, an unusually high number of Clinton voters indicated they were likely to reject Obama and vote for the Republican Party's presumptive nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

A complete text of the Democratic Party leaders' joint statement is available by clicking the "read more" line below.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo Credit: Associated Press / Manuel Bolce Ceneta

     Joint Statement by Democratic Leaders on the End of the Presidential Primary Process

"We have come to the end of an exciting primary and caucus process -- the voters have spoken.  As the Democratic leaders of the Senate, House of Representatives, the Governors and the Democratic National Committee we commend all of the participants of the 2008 primary process, especially Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, for making this such a transformational election. 

"Because of the enthusiasm our candidates have inspired, our party has brought record numbers of voters to the polls, gained millions of newly registered Democrats and now has advantages in states many thought were difficult to win.  We are grateful to the millions of Independents and Republicans who have crossed over to vote for a Democratic candidate for President.

"Democrats must now turn our full attention to the general election.  To that end, we are urging all remaining uncommitted superdelegates to make their decisions known by Friday of this week so that our party can stand united and begin our march toward reversing the eight years of failed Bush/McCain policies that have weakened our country.

"We once again congratulate all of the candidates for their leadership and dedication to providing this country with a New Direction. We look forward to working with them and with all Democrats to win the White House, congressional seats and state capitals so we can deliver the change the American people deserve and demand."

Comments

[Jim Jones]

Jill wrote - "Everytime Hillary is mentioned - she is referred to as HRC- Hillary Rodham Clinton. "

Rodham is her maiden name. Diane is her middle name.

You call yourself a supporter?

[PF]

For everyone who keeps talking about her winning the popular vote, and comparing this to the Florida travesty do remember that this is NOT AN ELECTION -- that's in November! This is a PRIMARY process with different rules, where there are 2 groups voting here: the people (to pick a delgate) and the superdelegates, both of whose votes count. Hlillary may have won one of the 2 sides, but not the other.

Also, the vote was close enough that any big state could have made a huge difference. Give Obama a few extra percent in Calif or NY and the point is moot.

-PF

[Anita]

I am a Republican who now supports Obama. If Hilary is his VP choice I will vote of McCain.

[joe]

I will vote for McCain if Hillary is not running as Vice President :)

[blahbedyblurbage]

The 10 point post by "Eric" (above) pretty much captures the reasons why Hillary Clinton shouldn't be on the ticket at all. I agree with him.

For you "Hillary 08" people who say "look how awesome it is that she is not giving up!"....

Take a second to consider this:
1. Hillary LOST THE VOTE that SHE AGREED TO under RULES SHE HELPED MAKE. That means either she didn't have the brains or sophistication to understand how she could lose, or she had so much arrogance that she believed it couldn't happen anyway.

Q: Who else in National politics has behaved like that?
A: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

Q: Who else, when faced with the fact that reality does not match their fantasy world, simply says: "Stay the course." ,and "Everything is fine.".
A: George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.

Q. Do you really want a major policy maker who is owned by 500 Million dollars in special interests (paid anonymously to the Clinton Library Fund) running this country further into the ground? Bush ran on his "I am a uniter, not a divider" slogan, and his "I am a fiscal conservative" slogan, but his administration has been marked by fiscal corruption that the GAO says is "unprecedented in scope and size".
A. No. No you don't

Start supporting the candidate who shares your ACTUAL values: Barack Obama.

Obama 08!

[JamesSpader]

I am not a Hillary supporter, but Obama won by caucaus states, he lost the popular vote and the real delegate count because Howie scream moron Dean Ideas about Florida and Michigan! Obama didn't realy win any big states except SC which pretty much a black state! The Democrat party pushed Obama because they hate the Clintons! Obamas problem is he is an IDIOT, he is so liberal he is off the charts, he has more baggage than Clinton has ever had, he has no experience at anything, a private security company ran a security check on Obama he can't pass a basic securuty check, he has a lot more people subversive people MUSLIMS he is involved with who are are anti American pro Islam! He has on his paid staff people work for Farakon and the Nation of Islam, his BIg Black body guard was the body guard for the child molester Jackson, who works for Farakon he is not secret service! He loses 57 of 50 states he loses white voters, hispanic, Older American, the military votes, Asain voters, and if he loses in Nov riots start race wars begin, this moron will devide the country and the democrat party will be destroyed! He will set race relatiions back 100 years. It's easy for the Democrap party to nominate a basic ZERO for president with no qualifications that is the Islamic Manchurian Candidate, but the real America won't buy. his crap, the DNC looks at race and color, but America looks at the man behind the BS. We are not buying the Democrap party line!
I don't understand CHANGE, Carter used the same line in 1976, and Obama is 100000000000000000000 million times worse than Carter, 100000000 times more of a coward. than the worst Pres and Ex Pres in the history of the USA! The stock market has a word when the stock market lose 200 points, it's the Obama effect! Of coarse who can forget A terrorist state Endorsed Obama, that was Hamas! Change is great Elect real Conserviites not a anti America pro Muslim .0015% America, half everything anti white racist biggot, 6 month senator with no resume at all who's past and present is filled with a lot Anti American pro terrorist in it! the DNC will be sorry the railroaded this moron Osama Ben Obomer the American terrorist!

[cbk16]

By including Michigan in the delegate count, you have to count Michigan in the popular vote. With Michigan, Clinton won the popular vote, this is Florida year 2000 all over again. The Super delegates who are supporting Obama need to change their mind and support the popular vote winner.

[Projection1234]

A possible SNL skit scenario: CNN et al are broadcasting the 2009 inauguration of Obama or McCain and a reporter cuts in and states, "This just in. Hillary Clinton continues her quest for the Presidency............

[kww]

The earlier racist poster that referenced older volers not voting for a black man...ummm he is half black...further more...older voters are the ones that got this country into the mess it is in today...yeah we have seen what your votes can do and keep it up and you will take this country to the grave where you are headed.

[Jim Jones]

Popular Vote - If you go to RealClearPolitics.com, you'll see that the only way Clinton leads in the popular vote is when you count MI. In other words, you have to give 0 votes to Obama in Michigan.

So many of us seem to forget that we live in a Republic. Not a direct Democracy (some would call this a representative Democracy). One vote is not - and never has been - the bedrock of our country. The bedrock has been representation.

We elect officials to go and serve our interests. Congress can't hold 300 million people all at once.

The president is elected by 'Electors', not votes. But states assign their electors based on the popular vote (yes, even in Florida as painful as it was in 2000).

Nominees are elected by delegates at the party conventions. The Denver convention center can't hold 37 million Democrats all at once.

As painful as it is to see your candidate of choice bow out, come up short, or outright lose, we must all make the best of what we have left.

So take your ball and go home if you will, but when you're ready to act like adults rather than selfish children, we'll be waiting to welcome you back to the process.

[blahbedyblurbage]

To "Norma" who says:

"Too much ugly baggage that Obama has, I will vote
for John McCain."

Are you kidding me? McCain was CENSURED BY HIS OWN PARTY AND THE SENATE as one of the Keating 5...he WAS PAID OFF BY WALL STREET AND BANKERS while in OFFICE, was caught trying to force the banking rules committe to modify its rules to allow Keating to fleece further millions of people during the S&L debacle.

McCain is now flip flopping like a fish on a dock, changing his positions as quickly as his lobbyists write up his new opinions. They're doing it so fast, and so often, even McCain can't remember what his point of view is supposed to be!

Watch this youtube vid of McCain's flip flopping talking points:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEtZlR3zp4c

[D Major]

Hillie's an insane mess, (Imaginary snipers, anyone?) and Billie just wants a crack at some fresh interns.

[fish]

Any Democrat who says they will vote for McCain just because their candidate didn't win is acting like a third grader. This is exactly the kind of divisive thinking that the Obama campaign is striving to uproot.

[Larry Oregon]

Hillary who?

[Say, what?]

Hillary, go back to the senate. Now.

[jojo]

Ed you're a lame-o. Obama has earned everything he deserves. This is no longer about her. If the shoe was on the other foot and Pelosi, Reid and Dean were asking Obama to step down I doubt you would think their leadership failed. She needs to give it up and give it up now - she lost. Period. end of sentence. If Obama feels like throwing her a bone so be it but he doesn't owe her anything especially after her Clinton Textbook Ungracious and self centered speech last night. And if you vote for McCain don't whine when whatever it is that made you a HC supporter doesn't happen and the country continues to circle the bowl.

[ncvoter]

Once again Dean, Pelosi, and Reid play heavy handed politics over half of the democratic party. Is anyone paying attention, HALF. Perhaps you do not need us and no longer want us in the party. All three of them need to be removed from their positions as "party leaders". Their overtly biased and manipulative interventions in this primary have been outrageous. As a lifetime democrat from a long family tradition of active support, I will leave this party if Dean is not removed from his DNC position. Why could they not just leave well enough alone. In an obvious play of fear, they know, she is stronger than him now and without their biased support the delegates could swing to her. If they think they are uniting the party with this play, THEY ARE WRONG. They are undoing Hillary's attempt to give us her supporters some breathing room and to make a decision to make sure OUR voices are heard.

[steve hermansen]

Hillary, you have done your best to divide the democratic party and leave your constituents embittered. Those of you who would vote for Mcain to assuage your frail egos, shame on you!! Look past yourself for once and consider the good of this country, or at least the good of your children.

[Barry, da Bronx]

Clinton DID NOT win the popular vote. The count on MSNBC was Clinton ahead by 2800 votes going into yesterday's contests. (This tally included FL, but excluded MI.)

She won South Dakota by approx 11000 votes, so she was up by 14000.

Obama won Montana by approx 26000 votes.

So in effect, he won the popular vote by 12000. A very small margin yes, but if it were reversed, I am pretty sure Sen Clinton would still use it. So why shouldn't Obama?

[esvida]

Ironic. All voters have spoken and yet are only counted if their voices fit the DNC's will. Count them again. More than a bunch of them including this one will go McCain if HC does not break away into an independent run.

[Madeleine]

The Democratic Party is like a little wagon on the prairie being pulled by two teams of powerful horses. Each team is pulling in a different direction. Unless HRC harnesses her team to Obama, the Dems will end up a broken heap, abandoned and alone in the wilderness and McCain will ride on to town to take the prize. HRC authorized the war in Iraq, which was a disaster for out nation. If she is sincere about wanting to end that war, sooner rather than later, then she should throw her great strengths of brains, tenacity and toughness into the effort to get Sen Obama elected, and also encourage her supporters to do the same.

[thinkresults]

cbk16 wrote: "By including Michigan in the delegate count, you have to count Michigan in the popular vote. "
--
This is a point of principal now since popular vote does not matter in a non-election nomination process anyway. However, to that point, if you "have to" count MI which was a false primary (as originally agreed to by all candidates including Clinton) with only one candidate listed, then you "have to" count the caucus states - and Obama still comes out on top in popular vote.

Again - none of this matters anyway - it's just that if you are going to include asterisk states to serve your own purposes for bragging rights, then you "have to" include all of them.

[Mimi]

Does anyone else feel that HRC is secretly being funded by Republicans? This should have been an election in the bag for Democrats after the mess Bush made. Now, they're creating a similar split like the one when Perot ran and Bill Clinton won.

But, the Clintons are smart enough people to know that by her entering as an independent would pretty much guarantee the win to McCain. Strategically, it makes no sense... unless it's backed by Republicans.

I don't know... just creating some knew conspiracy theory, I guess.

[Marcos El Malo]

I'm an Obama leaning Republican. If Hil gets the VP nod, Obama better get a food taster on his staff. If Hil doesn't get the VP nod, watch her continue her campaign as an independent, thus selfishly tearing apart the Democrat Party. If it wasn't so crucial to kick the GOP out of the Whitehouse, I'd be LMAO at her antics.

-- I was a passionate McCain supporter in 2000, and this is NOT the same John McCain. Hillary supporters need to wake up and smell the coffee. If you absolutely must register a protest vote, vote for Bob Barr, not John McCain.

[Attn: Nutroots]

Obama hasn't won anything yet. HRC hasn't yet lost either. Nobody has won the nomination until the delegate votes are cast at the convention. Until then, Obama is only the presumptive nominee.

Obama has been gaffe-prone. Super delegates are not committed, except by public pronouncement and some of the current Obama super delegates were once Clinton super delegates. Many of the super delegates thought of it as a mostly honorary position and they loath to actually be accountable for hard choices. That's why they seem to be going with the front-runner. It's the safe choice.

If Obama screws up before August and it looks like HRC is more electable, the front-running super delegates will quickly switch back over to her. The most important thing in their minds is to back the winner, whoever it is.