WASHINGTON (CNN) - A pair of high-profile backers of Sen. Barack Obama
have called on his rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, to drop out of the race for the Democratic nomination for president.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, issued the most unvarnished statement Friday, saying Clinton "has every right, but not a very good reason, to remain a candidate for as long as she wants to."
Sen. Chris Dodd, who sought the Democratic nomination for president himself but threw his support behind Obama after dropping out of the race in January, expressed a similar sentiment Thursday.
"I mean, if a person wants to stay in the race, stay in the race," he told the National Journal, a Washington magazine. "But if you have enough people rallying behind what appears to be the likely choice, and I believe the choice is Barack Obama, ... then I think you have to step up to the plate and say, enough is enough. We want this to be over with."
Larry J. Sabato, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia, said the Obama campaign was probably behind the remarks.
"Those things don't just happen," he said. "They must have gotten some encouragement from the Obama hierarchy. Senators like Leahy and Dodd can occasionally pop off, but not in a situation like this."
The Obama campaign denied responsibility for the Dodd and Leahy comments. Obama has said it is not for others to say when a candidate should get out of the race.
From CNN Politics
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I concur with you Mr. Leahy, I do concur....
Obama Richardson 08!!!!
Don't drop out Hillary, We're having too much fun!
Thank you Mr. Leahy for suggesting that millions of Americans not be allowed the oppertunity to cast their vote in this process!
I for one an THRILLED that INDIANA will have a say and that my vote might actually matter.
Stick with it HILLARY!!!!
I think she has every right to stay in until all the votes are counted. You never know what could happen.
BUT – I think she needs to turn down the rhetoric a couple notches.
I think that the ranking Democrats endorse candidates for their own sakes. But there is no turning back now. The damage has been done. Both Obama and Clinton will see each other again next year, in the Senate.
Thank You Sen. Leahy!!
Obama/Gore '08
Very good point Leahy.. she should drop out.
Chuck Todd from MSNBC had some good reasons why she shouldnt drop out though. She is making Barack a stronger candidate by staying in, in some respects.
OBAMA 08!
HILLARY SHOULD NOT DROP OUT!!!
THERE IS ALOT OF AMERICANS THAT SUPPORT HER
WAKE UP LEAHY OR WHATEVER
WE NEED HILLARY NOT OB
HILLARY '08
Leahy is entitled to his opinion, but it's noting more than his opinion.
12 million + Hillary voters disagree with him.
Just like Bill Richardson achieved absolutely no traction with Hispanic voters during his presidential campaign. Richardson's endorsement for Obama will carry no weight...and neither will Leahy's comments.
I'm glad that more and more officials are finally voicing what majority of the democrats already have stated. Clinton, I really liked you and your hub, but recent months have painted you in a light that is far from appealing. The people around you also paint a negative picture, but I don't base my decision not to vote for a person because of that. It is your what you would call "fighter: spirit, but I call "destructive, divisive" spirit that has turned me cold towards you. Please bow out gracefully for the good of the party and endorse Obama.
Come on Hillary for the good of the party, be a stateperson and drop of. Please!
We need to win in November. Stop the fighting. We know you are a fighter. But stop now. Please!
Let's unite and win in November
DNC08
I agree Leahy!
Hillary should bow out gracefully. It is time for the American people to have a president who is for the people. Hillary is self-serving and sneaky. I don't trust her or Bill.
That picture looks like he's stuck in an elevator lol
Why? She's more than capable of being President. Again, why should she step aside ? As a registered Democrat, I will vote Repubican if she does
Fact: It's over for Clinton.
Now, do the honorable thing and start the healing process...or...let your die hard fans hand the election to McBush.
It's a character thing.
Clinton has a very good reason to remain in the race. Its either HER or no democrat under her belief. If she can't be the president, she wont' let the democrats win. Its as simple as that. She would rather see the democratic party crash and burn than unite the party to face John McCain.
GREAT JOB, PAT!!! I HOPE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR HILLARY!!!
NOW IF YOU CAN JUST GET YOUR FELLOW-VERMONTER, HOWARD DEAN, REPLACED, THE DNC WILL BE A MUCH BETTER PLACE!!! HE'S AN IDIOT, AND IN CLINTON'S CORNER!!
Hello! I wish Hillary and her supporters are listening. I am ready to rally around Obama so we can focus on the real issue....McCain.
The Democratic Party needs leaders such as Sen. Leahy owe it to the Party and the American people to bring pressure on Clinton to abandon her hopeless quest for the White House.
Sen. Leahy is absolutely right about the "math" of the situation. If Clinton and her cronies cannot understand this simple math, how can the American people let them anywhere near the federal budget?
Obama can not win now.
"Not a very good reason to remain a candidate..." How about that MANY AMERICANS have not had their chance to vote yet or their votes heard and counted (Florida and Michigan) Wake up Democratic party and STOP trying to shove a candidate down our throats...Last time I checked the PEOPLE choose the nominee!
Only a white male would tell a women to get out of the boys club without all the states voting. I think it's too important to Minorities and Women for either Obama or Hillary to get out of the race before it's over. This is the first time a viable woman or minority, is running for President. This race is too close and it's important for young women and young minorities to see both of these candidates campaign until all the votes have been cast. Stop listening to the media and just let the people vote.
Maybe Patrick Leahy should let the 8 remaining states, Guam, and Pueto Rico vote before he runs his mouth. There is more to the country than his left-wing lunatic state of Vermont.
AMEN!!!!!!!