Howard Dean should step in to tell Hillary to step down and Gore/Edwards/Carter should endorse Obama

[PresidentObama]

Senator Clinton had her chance.

This race has gone on for a long time, and has been an incredible journey to this point.

She put up a great fight, and she deserves a lot of respect for weathering some big hits and continuing to push forward her vision for our country and offering her leadership skills to the nation as a Presidential candidate.

But math is math. Logic is logic.

She can't win the nomination.

And she knows it, which is why she's bringing up that pledged delegates can vote for whomever she wants. She is determined to win this, even if it's in a nasty and low way.

I respect and admire Hillary. I even thought she'd be better than Barack Obama.

But it's over. It's time to rally behind Barack Obama, and defeating John McCain.

Mike Huckabee too stayed in when it was clear he wasn't going to win.

Only Huckabee didn't block McCain from winning the nomination, even though it was clear he was going to be the nominee and Huckabee had no chance.

Howard Dean MUST step in, and talk Hillary into stepping down. And if she doesn't; John Edwards, Al Gore and Jimmy Carter should step up and endorse Senator Obama.

The General Election and victory in 2008 for the Democrats is too important than the ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her supporters. Sorry guys, it's over.

Dean should come out, and try and get her to end this thing before she tries to destruct the Democrats chances in November.

[book_worm]

1. If the GOP primaries had been proportional like the Dems they would still have a contest

between McCain, Huck and even Romney. But several GOP contests were "winner take all" so that is how McCain clinched his nomination so early. I agree with you. The party bigwigs should endorse and urge that the party get behind Obama.

[PresidentObama]

2. I think for the record, we should have a "winner take all" method next time.

[krawhitham]

5. no, but the SD should be removed from the process

[PresidentObama]

7. Agreed. We need a lot of tweaking, and changes.

[msallied]

37. No no.. Proportional voting is VERY progressive

and it should be kept. But the superdelegates should be eliminated. The beauty of the proportional system is that EVERYONE'S vote counts. It gets people interested in government, inspires them. We don't want to lose that. It's the superdelegates and the negative campaigning we need to do without. The problem too is that people don't know when to realize that they've lost, and proportional voting can prolong the agony, but that's because most people are still geared toward a more definitive "winner take all" system. If we do this a few more times, the psychology will change.

[mac2]

60. I agree.

[bklyncowgirl]

58. How long have the Democrats been doing the proportional voting for presidential primaries.

Kerry wrapped the thing up very early in the game in 2004. Gore did the same in 2000.

[gateley]

3. Reid said "something" would be done...

or was being done.

There have been several high-profile Dems who have endorsed Obama and used the word "divisive" in explaining why they joined his camp.

I wonder if she HAS been approached directly and refused, and if that's why the endorsers are being not-too-subtle in their support of Obama.

[PresidentObama]

4. I hope something IS being done, she's determined to push on. And why? She can't win.

Her ambition isn't more important than victory in November.

[mac2]

21. And Obama can?

He has no real record to speak or nor does he have the answers to any problems. He is an "empty suit" with his hope and change minister like speehes. Maybe he should become a minister since he carries his religion like a big cross to his campaign audiences. What Constitution?

[PresidentObama]

24. Blah, blah. Attack, attack. It's simple: Obama can win the nomination, Hillary can't.

She should drop out.

We should rally behind Obama.

And all of you who are eating sour grapes should either whine in private, or be tombstoned!

[mac2]

27. Like an election to pick a candidate Reid?

[UALRBSofL]

6. Howard Dean can't tell Hillary to step down

It isn't something he is allowed to do. However, come june, the credentials committee will decide FL/MI, but Dean has hand picked quite a few committee members so they won't vote against his wishes. This will be more of a wait and see situation. Depends on the votes and delegates after Puerto Rico.

[PresidentObama]

8. If her staying in hurts the party, he should step in or pressure Gore/Edwards/Carter to.

[DemVet]

69. They will all be told to politely "fuck off."

Just as they should.

[leftynyc]

83. You seem pretty sure they would

endorse Sen Obama. Why is that?

[gateley]

9. Can he discuss it with her at least?

Suggest it? Hint?

Kennedy, Kerry, Dodd, Richardson and other heavy-hitters have all cited a concern regarding what this campaign is doing to this party when explaining why they endorsed Obama.

And isn't it generally thought that Edwards abruptly bowed out because of he was asked to - for the good of the party?

[PresidentObama]

12. Yeah, I think Edwards was asked to get out. Which is why he was so quiet about it.

I think it was probably by Dean or Gore or some high level Democratic official.

They should do the same thing with Hillary. And for the good of the party and the nation, she should step down and bow out.

[mac2]

29. Step down now Howard. You've let us lose for eight years.

Time to cut the cord and let us go our own way to win for once.

[PresidentObama]

30. Eight years? He hasn't been DNC chairman for eight years. LOL!

He was chairman when we won in 2006.

Hillary Clinton's adviser Terry McAwful was DNC chairman in 2000 and 2004.

Go figure.

[mac2]

34. Maybe not but is seems like twenty to me.

[PresidentObama]

36. Do you think before you type? If not, I suggest you begin doing so. n/t

[Bensthename]

52. Easy, some of us haven't always been news junkies.

[mac2]

55. All about Howard Dean.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Dean Yes you are right about his years. He was DNC chair during the 2006 election and now.

Here on this web site they say Howard Dean opposed the war. He says he did.

I heard Dean and Edwards, when they announced their run for President on CSPAN's National Press Club, say they supported Bush's war. Howard said, he would have said it differently but would support it. Edwards admitted he was wrong. Dean has not admitted his support for the war.

He's been in the party much too long regardless of the years he's been in the DNC leadership role. I admit, I waved him off my radar as being a representative of our party a long time ago...when he lied about his support for the war and told the union workers in Iowa that he supported NAFTA even if they didn't. There were millions of us CSPAN users who knew differently.

Find the CSPAN tape of the National Press Club with Edwards and Dean announcing their run for President. I don't have the desire or time.

[Justitia]

63. You obviously don't know JACK SHIT about Howard Dean. Interloper. -eom

[mac2]

65. I know what I hear and see.

We keep losing with his each state responsible, etc. Have we won a Presidential election since he was DNC chair or taken back the Congress? We do but we don't.

Stop being insulting.

If we Dems continue on with our present direction and candidates we will win but too late.

[Justitia]

67. LOL, your posts betray your ignorance. YES WE TOOK CONGRESS - DUH!

Where have you been?

And boatloads of governorships, etc., since he implemented the 50 state strategy.

And hey, genius, this is the FIRST Presidential Election we've had since he became Chairman.

:dunce:

[mac2]

68. Doesn't seem like it when you see what we did with it.

The country wanted a Progressive win and did it but in the end the DLC took the mandate and squandered it.

Sit down your blood pressure is up!

[Justitia]

73. You are totally clueless. You don't even know that the DLC is NOT the DNC.

Get back to me after you've educated yourself.
Unless, of course, you're just a time-wasting troll.

[mac2]

74. What is the bottom line with either...to win or not?

Howard Dean of the DNC is part of the DLC agenda for war and globalism.

[Ikonoklast]

54. You must be a Republican, then.

Everything Gov. Dean has done since taking the helm has been a success.

Fifty state strategy that the DNC and the Clintonistas tried to torpedo has been a huge success. Winning back Congress, and soon to take the Senate.
Democrats taking governorships, and state houses.
People flocking to sign up for the Democratic Party.
A Democratic President soon to be in office.

What a failure.

[mac2]

56. Nope a Democrat who wants to win for once.

[Justitia]

64. You obviously didn't read that post. We only STARTED winning w/Dean. Have you been under a rock?

Or are you really that ignorant?

[DemVet]

71. Winning with Dean? Uh....

...just explain to me just what these "winners" have accomplished in Congress. That's right....nothing.

[Justitia]

75. So, you'd rather we still had REPUBLICANS in those seats? Unreal. -eom

[mac2]

72. We're winning?

We are still at war. We are still broke. We lose jobs everyday to off-shore from bad trade policy. We have a huge financial crisis and corruption. We still don't know the truth about 911. Our borders and immigration policy are out of control. Our ports, airlines, and security dismal. Our private information sold all over the world. We have a health crisis. We are in crisis period.

No impeachment by candidates who look the other way while Bush robs and destroys us (does genocide).

The election mandate of 2006 has been ignored by our party.

[Justitia]

76. WTF? You're all over the map. Waste of time. -eom

[mac2]

78. During the 2006 election here in Illinois

there was a Progressive candidate (anti-war) running against Dennis Hastert. Hastert's land fraud was know then...along with his arm twisting on the house floor during the dead of night. He should have been put out of office then but there was no support from our party leaders...in state or nationally.

We could have won more elections for Congress (and had a majority vote) but the party wouldn't support "anti-war" candidates. Still won't.

[DemVet]

80. Agreed. Great post. n/t

[DemVet]

70. Everything a success? Yeah, tell that to the MI and FL voters. n/t

[mac2]

79. Undemocratic every way you look at it.

Between the removal of Edwards and Kucinich before Super Tuesday and the Florida and Michigan primary debacle, the election seems to have been stolen by our own party before the primaries.

[Bensthename]

51. He can start bringing in the top dems to pressure the supers to move now to save the Gen election.

And I bet that is what is being done now. Especially with Reid saying this is being taken care of.

[LWolf]

10. No, thanks.

Clinton and Obama should step down together and allow the convention to nominate a candidate that can win in November.

[PresidentObama]

16. Gore/Edwards 08. lol.

[LWolf]

22. I'll take that ticket.

:D

[PresidentObama]

23. It's a deal, let's set up a press conference and announce the new ticket :)

[LWolf]

45. Done.

:bounce:

[leftynyc]

85. Me too!!!

:toast:

[mac2]

35. I like that but they have to try to win.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. It's not up to Howard Dean

Why are you guys so afraid to let the primaries play out?

[PresidentObama]

15. Typical tactic of those losing--accuse the other side of being afraid.

And no it's not up to Howard Dean, but he should pressure her to do the right thing and put her party and her country before her ambitions.

She was the better candidate, I'll give you that. But it's over, the door has all but closed.

[MonkeyFunk]

25. You guys have been trying

to force an end to this for many weeks now. You're getting more and more panicky with each passing day.

Let it play out - that's why we have primaries.

[PresidentObama]

28. How can Hillary win the nomination? Lay out the math. Oh wait, you can't.

Letting it play out?

Let Hillary desperately cling to her ambitions while trashing Obama and destructing the Democratic parties chance for victory in November?

No way, fuck that.

I agree with you she's the best candidate. But it's over. It's time to fight McCain, not each other.

[MonkeyFunk]

38. She can win the nomination the same way Obama will have to

with superdelegates.

[mac2]

66. And insulting to anyone who doesn't agree.

[mac2]

17. Step down why? Anyone who wants to run should not

bow down to Obama. Or you.

[gateley]

26. No, but for the good of the party,

they might listen to what their co-senators are saying.

Kennedy, Kerry, Dodd, Richardson have all mentioned concerns about the divisive campaign, and concerns of how it was affecting our party. Then went on to endorse Obama. What does that say?

Edwards most likely agreed to it for the good of the party and the country -- why won't Hillary?

[mac2]

33. Good of whose party? Are the ones left Democrats?

Progressives aren't supported since they could probably win.

[olkaz]

39. Are you saying Hillary is progressive?

There is no way you can say that with a straight face.

[gateley]

42. Jesus. You know what I'm trying to say. Please don't be obtuse. nt

[mac2]

31. So why is he working for Democrats when he is blameless?

[flyarm]

13. bullshit! eom

[PresidentObama]

18. Thats your opinion. And I'm not going to argue with another Edwards supporters ;)

[mac2]

20. Me too. You Obama/Clinton people didn't even let us have Super Tuesday

[C_U_L8R]

14. She's gonna go absolutely ape.

I can't imagine that Hillary is gonna retire without throwing one hell of a tantrum.
Perhaps the only reason she hasn't been talked off her perch already is
that everyone is afraid to break the bad news to her. That can't be fun.

[PresidentObama]

19. Her advisors are ready to throw the kitchen sink to desperately win this--it's over.

She should save her reputation, and drop out without kicking or screaming.

[ScreamingMeemie]

32. I am hoping they do not.

I can not see one shining example of the Democratic party I have loved being a part of running in this primary race. I should hope that the Dem politicians I admire most don't further add to my disheartenment this cycle. I'm sick of this.

[BenDavid]

40. listen and listen good......hrc is going to stay in this race till the end

and she is going to force obama and howard dean to vote not to seat the mivhigan and florida delegates and then you will have one hell of a shit storm, and then try and tell me the super delegates will go for this knowing damn well the dems cannot win without Michigan....we can win without florida but with the right candidate you can win them both and ohio.....

also this reid statement is about some under handed deal with dean... Dean already has placed 25 dean supporters to the death on the credentials committee so that with obama's delegates in the committee they can force this upon HRC.....You wanna fight, then try and fuck us.....

[Bensthename]

41. ^ ^ ^ McCain suporter.

Hillary sould have played by the rules. Getting pissy about Michagan and Florida is a joke. The rules were made, every one agreed to them and now that she is losing she is going to cry about it. That's about par for her though.

[davidinalameda]

44. force what on her?

the state party leaders in Michigan and Florida knew what was going to happen if they set their primary dates before they were allowed

this isn't some plot by Dean and the DNC to deny Hillary delegates

[joshcryer]

48. You must be quite naive about politics if you don't understand how bad it is not to seat them.

It's just epicly bad. Obama *has* to seat them. And he damn well better if he wants to win this thing. The above poster is right. If Hillary can keep Obama afraid of seating them she will undoubtedly win.

But I don't know if Obama is that stupid. They both need superdelegates to win. Even if he seats them he'll still have a majority of the delegates, if even by a 1% margin. That's all it takes.

He better be smart here.

[Bensthename]

50. Hillary should have played by the rules. It's very simple. FL and MI will still vote for the nominee

ps. great avatar. :-p

[CTD]

43. She KNOWS she cannot win. She is only working to destroy Obama to preserve her 2012 last hope run

This has nothing to do with any pretense of pulling out a victory this year and everything to do with making sure there isn't an incumbent Dem running for re-election in 2012.

Let's drop the pretense.

[DeeDeeNY]

62. I am afraid you are right nt

[readmoreoften]

46. Isn't Gore/Edwards/Carter's endorsement pointless after Clinton steps down?

You Obama people have been saying EVERYONE should step down from the beginning of this race. If it were up to you people it'd be an appointment, not an election. Correction: an annointment.

I could give a shit who wins this election. The difference between the candidates is so miniscule not a damn thing is going to change in this country. Will I vote for the Democrat. Yes. For the last time. But this whole thing is a joke.

[incapsulated]

47. And Clive Owen should declare his love for me and I should be made Queen

by the government and given 50 million dollars it's only fair and logical.

[emilyg]

49. I love "shoulds".

[democrattotheend]

53. Wow, you changed your icon!

I guess you've fully come over to the bright side, huh? I had a feeling you were wavering before you announced it...congrats on "seeing the light"!

[Maddy McCall]

57. Why are you afraid of representative democracy?

Why are you afraid to let people vote?

I bet you're also in favor of disenfranchising 2.5 million voters in FL and MI. Naw, that couldn't be.

[mac2]

59. They are saying sit down and shut up....we want our

guy NOW!! We are desperate for "hope" and "change". They will not get either after the "selection" in November.

[Enthusiast]

61. That's where I differ from you.

After her kneecapping of Barack Obama I no longer respect and admire Hillary. At one time I did respect and admire her, I now see I was wrong.

[Life Long Dem]

77. Is Hillary using her supporters for her own gain in 2012?

People Obama can win PA and Hillary will still be advertising for McCain. If you don't believe me, go to McCain's website. You'll see Clinton there selling McCain on video. But is that being used?

[chapel hill dem]

81. Around here, some life-long Democrats are beginning to rationalize

why John McCain isn't that bad of choice if their candidate is not the Democratic Party nominee. The main thought is that if conservatives are talking about sitting out of the GE because McCain is too liberal, then maybe he is worth considering.

My personal hope is that HRC cuts a deal with the DNC, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to allow HRC to drop out of the race and take over Reid's job in the Senate. She would be 100% guaranteed to have a hugely important job in January versus the grind and uncertainty of the GE campaign. Obama, and the DNC fund raising machine, could then focus on beating McCain and keep him out of his comfort zone between now and the summer conventions.

FWIW

[DemocratSinceBirth]

82. Your Logic Is Flawed

The reason that Barack Obama is not doing well against McCain or as well as some would like is because many of Hillary Clinton's supporters are indicating they will vote for McCain, vote third party, or not vote at all...

How does forcing her to leave the race solve that problem? Common sense would suggest that would only alienate them further...

[Medusa]

84. The Clintons believe they ARE the Democratic party

there are no officials who can convince them to listen to reason. Howard Dean? Longtime blood between them and the Clintons. Al Gore? Ditto. Carter? One-term president. Bill thinks he's far superior to Jimmy Carter. Who does that leave? NO ONE. Dream on.

[leftynyc]

86. I disagree

Al Gore has that kind of clout. He was Bill's VP (which is why he has stayed out this so far) and I really believe if he goes to Hillary and lays it on the line, she will drop out. He will do her the courtesy of talking privately to her first.

[Seabiscuit]

87. So Dean should do the same thing to Hillary he did to John Edwards???

Weren't you an Edwards supporter? Didn't you howl in shock and anger when Edwards was suddenly and unexpectedly pushed out of the race? You now approve of that since you switched to Obama? Is that how you wish to be remembered by the Edwardians here?

You should know by now that neither Edwards nor Gore nor Carter are going to endorse anyone prior to the Convention.