By , Associated Press | May 7, 2008
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The former senator, George McGovern, an early supporter of Senator Clinton, urged her to drop out of the Democratic presidential race and endorsed her rival, Senator Obama.
After watching the returns from the North Carolina and Indiana primaries last night, Mr. McGovern said today it's virtually impossible for Mrs. Clinton to win the nomination. The 1972 Democratic presidential nominee said he had a call in to President Clinton to tell him of the decision, adding that he remains close friends with the Clintons.
"I will hold them in affection and admiration all of my days," he said of the Clintons.
Mr. McGovern's announcement comes a day before Mrs. Clinton was scheduled to travel to South Dakota to campaign. The state holds its primary June 3 with 15 pledged delegates at stake.
Mr. McGovern said he had no regrets about endorsing Mrs. Clinton months ago, even before the Iowa caucuses.
"She has run a valiant campaign. And she will remain an influential voice in the American future," he said.
But Mr. Obama has won the nomination "by any practical test" and is very close to a majority of the pledged delegates, Mr. McGovern, who is 85, said. Mr. Obama moved within 200 delegates of clinching the nomination with his split decision yesterday of a win in North Carolina and a narrow loss in Indiana.
It's time to unite the Democratic Party, he said.
"Hillary, of course, will make the decision as to if and when she ends her campaign. But I hope that she reaches that decision soon so that we can concentrate on a unified party capable of winning the White House next November," he said.
Mr. McGovern is not a superdelegate, one of the prominent Democrats who has a vote at the national convention.
