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As the first news reports began to circulate Tuesday that Sen. Hillary Clinton planned to concede that Sen. Barack Obama has the delegates needed to become the Democratic presidential nominee, the local reaction was a mixture of indifference, sadness and forward-looking optimism.

Sen. John Matthews D-Bowman, who served as Clinton’s South Carolina campaign co-chair, has remained dedicated to Clinton from the start.

But on Tuesday, Matthews conceded the electoral process has worked to its conclusion and that Clinton’s concession is a wise decision.

“The system has been fair and I accept the conclusions,” he said, noting Clinton’s decision to stay in the race until the end allowed voters to exercise their right to vote and to have a voice in the process.

Clinton remained in the race despite speculation she would leave earlier. Even now, campaign officials say Clinton has made a strategic decision to not formally end her campaign, giving her leverage to negotiate with Obama on various matters.

But now that Clinton has all but bowed out, Matthews said it is time for the Democratic Party to move forward.

“My position is that we have to unite this party,” Matthews said. “I think Obama will make a great candidate and I will support him in any way that I can.”

And he said he sees the Democratic Party having a real good chance to win in November, citing concerns over rising gas and food prices, as well as the ongoing war in Iraq.

“I think the Democrats have an excellent chance to take back the White House next year,” he said.

Looking ahead, Blackville resident Thomas Ann Sanders said Clinton would make a great vice presidential candidate.

“They are both are prepared. I think she was a great candidate. She is a great lady,” she said.

Sanders said despite the often bitter race between Clinton and Obama, she hopes both will consider letting the past rest and doing what is best for the future of the country.

Sanders said she does not think Clinton’s staying in the race will have a negative impact come November.

“We are going to the polls in November and when you get there, you have to have your mind made up,” she said. “You have to say is this the right man or is McCain? But the Republicans ... we have had them for eight years and I don’t care who gets it, he will not change it in four years. He will not change it overnight because it is a mess.”

Wendy Stone said while she will most likely vote for John McCain in November, she is sorry to see Clinton go.

“I was kind of hoping she would hang in there, but I guess she knew she would not get anywhere with it,” Stone said, noting that she does not have as high hopes for Obama.

Kim Shuler said Clinton’s decision was probably wise since, by all calculations, she has lost.

“I give her credit for sticking in there,” Shuler said. “I think she needs to just bow out.”

Shuler said she does not know much about Obama but now that he appears to be the Democratic Party nominee, she will do some more research on his positions.

“I was just waiting to see who was going to win and then make a decision on where I would go from there,” Shuler said.

Shuler said Clinton’s decision to stay may have hurt the Democratic Party’s chances.

“I think if she would have quit a while back, they could have focused more instead of fighting each other, focused on what their plan is against John McCain,” she said.

Prince of Orange Mall employee Eddie Kahn acknowledged he has paid little attention to the political scene and says he is not particularly partisan. He just wants the best person in the position.

But he said he does know one thing: Whoever is elected in November needs to do something to help with the ever-rising gasoline prices.

“I would like everything to come down,” he said. “Nobody is coming to the mall and people are not going anywhere. Whoever will solve the problems, no matter whether it is a Republican or Democrat, is who I will vote for. The economy is the problem.”

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

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