Clinton to Drop Out of Race Saturday

ABC News is reporting that Sen. Hillary Clinton has decided to drop out of the presidential race on Friday, ending speculation that she would continue to fight for the Democratic nomination until the August convention, and beginning speculation that she is preparing for a selection as Sen. Barack Obama's Vice-Presidential running mate. After winning South Dakota's primary last night, Sen. Clinton refused to concede the race to Obama, even though he had secured the required 2118 delegates to claim the nomination. She told an enthusiastic crowd that she would, "not make any decisions tonight," and asked her supporters to go to her campaign website and leave messages expressing their opinion about what she should do next.

But the light of day has apparently changed moods and minds in the Clinton camp, and Sen. Clinton held a conference call with her supporters and staff today to discuss her plans. Most of her campaign staff has been told that they should not report to work after Friday. People close to Sen. Clinton have been putting her name out as a potential VP pick for Obama, even hinting that she could have the political clout to force her way onto the ticket at the convention if she is not selected.

While ending the campaign would begin the process of putting the Democratic Party back together, it is unclear whether Sen. Obama would go so far as to place Sen. Clinton on the ticket. Associating himself so closely with the Clinton brand would likely undercut his image as the bearer of a new kind of politics. In addition, Sen. Clinton and President Clinton are both forceful politicians who are not used to playing second fiddle to a bigger star. It is more likely that if Sen. Clinton were to endorse Obama after the conceding, it would be for a high profile policy job in an Obama Administration.

UPDATE: The Clinton campaign has moved the announcement date from Friday to Saturday.