Stage 4:Clinton Aide Says Race May Not Go to Convention

On a recent televised interview, Senator Clinton’s campaign manager Terry McAuliffe was quoted saying “I don’t see it going to the convention”. McAuliffe was talking about Senator Clintons chances of staying in the race for the democratic nomination of presidency. In the past few days, a number of party leaders have asked Mrs. Clinton to give the nomination to her opponent, Senator Barack Obama. Clinton campaign has insisted that she would fight through the end of the primary season. Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, McAuliffe still insisted that Mrs. Clinton’s will fight on, but said the party’s superdelegates would resolve the contest soon after the final democratic nomination election. McAuliffe then stated “After June 3, this is going to come to a conclusion.”
Clinton’s criticism of Obama was muted during her appearance in West Virginia when she said she has done much better than her opponent with certain key voter segments, including woman, older voters and blue collar workers. Clinton trails Obama in pledged delegates and cannot catch up in the remaining races; however she argues that she would be more successful in the general election against the Republican nominee, Senator John McCain.
During a 45-minute appearance in the House of Representatives, Senator Obama was shaking hands with members of both parties and posed for pictures and also said he expected Senator Clinton to win West Virginia and Kentucky and described her leads in those states as “insurmountable.”
“My goal is to bring the party together as soon as possible,” he said.
One issue that remains for the democratic race is the voting in Florida and Michigan, the problem is delegates have been blocked the voting because of a conflict with the Democratic Party because of the timing of those states’ primary elections in January.
However McAuliffe, (Clintons campaign manager) said that question of Florida and Michigan needed to be settled by the party. But did not seem to think it would stand in the way of concluding the race by early June.
“Within a week or two after June 3, I think it will be all over,” he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/us/politics/08cnd-campaign.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin