"Asked about her chances of capturing the nomination, the normally loquacious Schumer fell silent"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

May 7, 2008, 3:48PM
Analysis: Democrats quietly send word to Clinton it's over

By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent
© 2008 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Apart from George McGovern, a plainspoken man who knows something about losing elections, not a single Democrat of national stature publicly urged Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday to end her campaign for the White House. They didn't have to.

There was no shortage of other ways to signal, suggest, insinuate or instigate the same thing. And certainly no need to apply unseemly pressure to a historic political figure, a woman who has run a grueling race, won millions of votes and drawn uncounted numbers of new Democratic voters to the polls. Instead, many Democrats instead preferred to say softly what the party's 1972 presidential nominee said for all to hear. Barack Obama has won the nomination "by any practical test," McGovern said.

"I think that it would be inappropriate and awkward and wrong for any of us to tell Senator Clinton when it is time for the race to be over," said Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, speaking on a campaign-sponsored conference call with reporters. "This is her decision and it is only her decision. And we are confident that she is going to do the right thing for the Democratic nominee. We are confident she will help work hard to unite our party."

Sen. Chuck Schumer, a staunch supporter of his fellow New Yorker, said, "It's her decision to make and I'll accept what decision she makes." Asked about her chances of still capturing the Democratic nomination, the normally loquacious Schumer fell silent.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/5761919.html

[maxsolomon]

1. i'd like to see her carry on to Oregon

because i'll enjoy seeing Oregonians called "Elitists". Its a NW rivalry thing.