Clinton Will Go To At Least June 3rd

Assuming that Hillary Clinton wins in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, her campaign is not planning to leave the race anytime soon, if ever:

The chief strategists of the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton sparred on NBC's Meet the Press this morning over NAFTA, negative campaigning ties to special interest groups--and, especially, when a losing candidate becomes a spoiler.

But Clinton chief stategist Geoff Garin was unable to give a clear response when moderator Tim Russert pressed him on an answer Clinton gave in last Wednesday's debate that appears to commit her administration to a military strike against Iran if that country strikes Israel or even another Arab country in the Middle East.

Garin said that the Clinton campaign would continue through the last primary--and possibly beyond.

"We'll go through to June 3," Garin said, referring to the day of the last primary.

"I think at that point, it will be a very, very close election. Neither candidate's gonna have enough pledged delegates to win the nomination," Garin added.

Garin also suggested that the Clinton's are preparing for a struggle to win the nomination through the votes of superdelegates, even if the former first lady does not prevail among pledged delegates.

"There is more to this process," Garin said. "The superdelegates, as they are called. This is not about a backroom deal. These are people who are elected officials. They are elected party representatives. In the clear light of day, both candidates I think will make a case to them about why they are the best choice for the party and the country."

The only way I see her leaving the race before June is if she loses in Pennsylvania. Otherwise, I think she hangs in there until June 3rd unless there's a mass move by superdelegates for Obama in an effort to drive her out. If the race in Pennsylvania is close, that superdelegate move could come sooner rather than later.