Posted on 04/28/2008 10:24:55 AM PDT by kingattax
WASHINGTON - Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday that either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama must drop out of the Democratic presidential race after the June primaries in order to unify the party by the convention and win the election in November.
But Dean didn't say which candidate should drop out, only that it should happen after primary voters have been to the polls.
"We want the voters to have their say. That's over on June 3," Dean said in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Dean also said that while the party rules say Democratic superdelegates can wait until the party's August 25 convention to make up their minds, that would be too late to unify the party and defeat the presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain.
"We really can't have a divided convention. If we do it's going to be very hard to heal the party afterwards," Dean said. "So we'll know who the nominee is and that'll give us an extra 2 1/2 months to get our party together, heal the wounds of having a very closely divided race and take on Senator McCain."
Dean said he won't have to tell either Clinton or Obama when it's time to leave the race.
"Either of these candidates, if it's time for them to go, they'll know it and they will go," Dean said. "They don't need any pushing from me. You know when to get in and you know when to get out. That's just part of the deal."
"This is not about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama," Dean added. "This is about our country. It's about a better course for our country. ... We've got to move on and win the presidency."
Obama has more delegates and popular votes than Clinton, but she is also fresh off a big-state win in Pennsylvania.
Dean said that "none of the so-called party elders I talked to" think the contest should go until the convention. "I agree with that," Dean said.
"We've got nine more primaries ... Five hundred of the 800 unpledged delegates have already said who they are for. The remaining 300 will do that by the end of June and we'll know who our nominee is and that's what we need to do," Dean said on NBC's "Today" show.
Watch how much influence you have Dean as neither of them does your bidding.
And if one of them doesn’t drop out, what is Howie going to do? Besides scream.
oh no, please god don’t start screaming again
how about both of them drop out??
“We want the voters to have their say. That’s over on June 3. YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!”
Does anyone think that Hillary will drop out?
When it’s over on June 4th, she will be behind in delegates, but Obama will still not have a majority either. But who can force the uncommitted super delegates to publicly declare their intentions? Heck, it’s in their interest to stretch it out, as Bill and Hillary and Barack wine and dine them to try to get support. The super delegates are all politicians too, and will want to get promises from the presidential candidates in exchange for support.
Unless either Obama or Hillary have a macaca or Dean scream moment, I think neither will drop out.
Says who? That's what made conventions fun in the old days. Now they are just reading a script.
Dean says either Clinton or Obama must drop out in June
Thank you Captain Obvious!
“This is not about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama,” Dean added. “This is about our country.”
OOOOOOOOhhhhhh, I don’t know about that......
Just curious ... why is it that Associated Press articles always refer to Hillary as Hillary RODHAM Clinton, but they NEVER refer to Barack as Barack HUSSEIN Obama???????
Couldn’t be that they are biased, could it????
noooooooooo!!!!
Uh...no, they won't know. Super-delegates are too much of an UNknown for either to know when to go. You made your bed, Howard...
“Dean says either Clinton or Obama must drop out in June”
It is hard to believe a party so unified in its vision and solutions can be so divided.
It hurts my heart to see my fellow Amer... a forget it, even I can’t pull this off...
This is not about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama,” Dean added. “This is about our country. It’s about a better course for our country. ... We’ve got to move on and win the presidency.”
Earth to Dean!.....Goodluck Asshat!
This little affair is more like running for President of a "Club" aka, the DNC....and Hillary and Bubba have an "IN"....millions of "truth" pages on just about everyone they "own".
She'll get the nomination...one way or another...and Obama will be crushed "forever"...
Did anyone hear Jay Nordlinger on Bill Bennett Friday? He said that Bubba always says it ain't over until the last dog dies.
The most excellent Mr. N opined that HRC will still be in it post the dog dying.
I believe it.
No one pays any attention to Dean...
I demand that the 100 or so Super Politician Delegates do the right thing and act like Rats.
Hold out for the most goodies possible. Adhere to the will of the bribe.
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