I can still win, Clinton insists

2008-04-04 07:25

Los Angeles - Hillary Clinton insisted on Thursday she could still win the Democratic Party nomination, despite calls from several supporters of rival Barack Obama that she admit defeat.

"I know I can win, that's why I do this every day," Clinton told reporters after landing in Burbank, California, on a fundraising trip.

"I am in it to win it, and I intend to do just that."

Clinton was asked about a report that she had personally told New Mexico governor Bill Richardson that Obama could not win the presidency, before he endorsed the Illinois senator last month.

ABC News cited sources with direct knowledge of the conversation as saying "'Barack Obama cannot win Bill, Barack Obama cannot win.'"

Clinton said she would not talk about private conversations, but if true, the report would signal that her camp is now making blunt arguments to top party figures about Obama's prospects in November's general election.

"I have consistently made the case that I can win, because I believe I can win," Clinton said.

"Sometimes people draw the conclusion I am saying somebody else can't win."

Superdelegates

Richardson is one of nearly 800 Democratic superdelegates, party officials who will decide the nomination, as neither candidate can now reach the 2 025 threshold of elected delegates in their intense nominating fight.

Clinton aides said their camp was not arguing Obama would lose a general election to Republican John McCain, but cited match-up polls which had her running strongest against him in bellweather states Florida and Ohio.

"Senator Clinton is more electable than Senator Obama," said Clinton's top strategist Mark Penn. "It's hard to get to the presidency without Ohio and Florida."

- AFP