Terry McAuliffe, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, said Saturday that Super Tuesday voting across the country won’t settle the Democratic Party’s nominating race between Sen. Clinton of New York and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
“I think it will probably go on into March,” said McAuliffe, citing delegate-rich states such as Texas and Ohio, which both have primaries on March 4.
McAuliffe added that he felt “very good” about Clinton’s chances in three of the biggest states voting Tuesday: California, New York and New Jersey.
McAuliffe, a legendary Democratic Party fundraiser, spoke on Clinton’s behalf to about 200 people at Mountain Ridge Middle School in Highlands Ranch.
It was part of a Democratic organizing event in advance of Tuesday’s caucuses throughout the state. Among those who spoke prior to McAuliffe were Pat Waak, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party; U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, who is running for the open U.S. Senate seat in Colorado; U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, who supports Obama; and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, a Clinton supporter. Also speaking on Obama’s behalf was actress Kerry Washington.
Stephen Keating, editor of , caught up with McAuliffe afterward.
Q: Tell us about the importance of New Mexico on Super Tuesday and is it significant that Gov. Richardson (who dropped out of the presidential race and previously served in Pres. Bill Clinton’s administration) hasn’t yet made an endorsement?
A: New Mexico is obviously part of the Democratic Party’s strategy that we’ve got to move forward in these Southwestern states. They’re the future of the Democratic Party. I think what we do in New Mexico – as well as here in Colorado – is very important to us, not only in the primary/caucus process, but for the general election. It’s very important.
I spoke to Gov. Richardson the other day. I think he wanted to take some time. He’s watching the Super Bowl tomorrow with Bill Clinton, so that’s a good sign. Listen, he had a hard-fought race. It’s hard. You put your whole life into it, and then you’re out. So I think everybody wants to take a look at it. I think the same thing for John Edwards. He wants to take a little bit of a breather.
Q: Which states do you think are going to be most key on Tuesday for the Hillary Clinton campaign?
A: I obviously think California’s the biggest. It’s the motherlode of delegates. California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois – those are the four big states. We feel very good about California, New York and New Jersey.
Q: Can it get wrapped up Tuesday?
A: I, for a year, said it would. I don’t think I’m right. I think it’s going to go on a little bit longer. It may go to early March. Texas and Ohio are probably the first week of March. So I think it will probably go on into March. John Kerry got the nomination, I remember last time, (in) March (2004).
Q: (Conservative gadfly) Ann Coulter said if John McCain is the (Republican) nominee, she’s going to campaign for Hillary Clinton.
A: I don’t know what to tell you. She’s never said a nice word about Hillary Clinton in her life. Listen, we’ll take every vote we can get, I guess is all I can say.
Q: So, you’ll accept that endorsement?
A: Listen, anyone who wants to help us, I’m all for it. , if she wants to send a check.
