Pressure is building on Hillary Clinton to suspend her campaign. In a story published today in the Cincinnati Enquirer, "Ohio Dems wish Clinton would exit" reporter Howard Wilkinson writes that at the Ohio Democratic Party convention held Saturday in Columbus, even super delegates pledged to Clinton are asking her to step aside.
"It bothers me that she won’t give it up," said former state representative Catherine Barrett of Forest Park, a delegate pledged to Clinton from the 1st Congressional District. "It’s exasperating."
Obama's super delegates chimed in as well, including Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory who endorsed Obama in February.
"It’s mathematically impossible for her to win," Mallory said. "Obama’s picking up two, three, five superdelegates a day. It’s time we got on with the real election."
Calls in Ohio for Clinton to bow out of the race haven't been limited to elected officials or super delegates, however. Rose Russell, an Associate Editor at the Toledo Blade, penned a column in Saturday's paper (Hillary, now girl, it's time - for real)observing that the handwriting is on the wall and it's time to quit.
Step by step she explains why Clinton should give up her quixotic run, mincing no words in the process:
• You are a pawn for the GOP, which so desperately wants you to be the nominee. Your family nemesis, Rush Limbaugh, is being criticized for telling Republicans to switch parties to vote for you to thwart an Obama win.
• You risk your political future and your party's fall success by trying to change the rules as your loss becomes clearer. The Democratic National Committee said the nominee needs 2,025 delegates, not 2,209, which would include Florida and Michigan. If your campaign insists on 2,209, there could be chaos as Mr. Limbaugh wants.
• You are ignoring calls to quit. Your party peers are not being vindictive, but only want ample time to heal and unite to avoid what would amount to a third Bush term.
Ms. Russell pleads with Clinton to withdraw with grace in order to preserve both the party's chances in November, and Hillary's reputation, warning:
If you refuse to take the upper road, the Clinton legacy won't only be further stained.
It will be ripped to shreds.
Is there a legitimate reason for Hillary to remain in the race? If not, what's the best way to convince her it's time to leave?