8 Democratic Senators, Pelosi Declare Race Over

Eight previously neutral senators declared the Democratic race over today, saying in a statement their party's “nominee for President has now been chosen.” Tom Harkin, Barbara Boxer, Tom Carper, Ken Salazar, Ron Wyden, Mary Landrieiu, Frank Lautenberg and Ben Cardin asserted, “Our focus is now on … giving Barack Obama every ounce of our support, every bit of our energy.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also said the race was through, Talking Points Memo reports, asserting on TV, “Now we have a nominee, and that’s pretty exciting.” Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell cautioned Hillary Clinton, of whom he was an ardent supporter, on the way forward: “You don't bargain with the presidential nominee.” (More Barack Obama stories.)