By Mike Dorning
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton may have chosen the aptly-named Unity, N.H., for the public debut of their efforts to overcome the divisions of the Democratic primaries. But first came a joint appearance Thursday evening to pitch a group of well-heeled Clinton loyalists responsible for much of the financial power behind her presidential campaign.
The former rivals offered generous praised for each other in warm, upbeat performances as they implored members of Clinton's national finance committee to rally behind the election of Obama, the presumptive nominee.
Clinton reminded the donors, most of them deeply partisan Democrats, that the party had only won the presidency in three of the past 10 elections.
"I know my supporters have extremely strong feelings, and I know Barack's do as well," Clinton said. "But we are a family, and we have an opportunity now to really demonstrate clearly we do know what's at stake, and we will do whatever it takes to win back this White House."
Obama offered a tribute to Clinton, telling the audience of about 200 that Clinton's quest to become the first female president had touched even members of his own family. Among them, he said, was his grandmother, who he said sometimes complained Clinton wasn't getting a fair shake even though she was rooting for her grandson.
"When I see that instinct of hers to fight on behalf of those who need a champion, she reminds me a little of me," Obama quoted his grandmother told him. He said the story illustrated "the ability of Hillary Clinton to inspire passion on behalf of those who have
been left out in the past."
The biggest applause of the evening came when Obama said that he had asked his own high-level donors to contribute to Clinton to help retire her campaign debt. Obama wrote the Clinton campaign a check for $4,600, representing the maximum legal contribution from both he and his wife, Michelle.
Still, earlier in the week, Obama said at a press conference that he would not make the same request of his many lower-dollar donors, who remain eligible to make additional contributions to Obama's campaign
The two senators are engaged in delicate maneuvering to heal ill will left over from a grueling 17-month primary campaign and strengthen the party as it heads into the fall general election while each of the former rivals pursues their own political agenda.
Obama is seeking to build enthusiasm for his candidacy among core Clinton constituencies such as women, white working-class voters and the elderly as well as tap her financial network to fund his campaign. With Obama forgoing public financing for his campaign, he can raise unlimited funds through private contributions.
Clinton is seeking to retire a campaign debt of more than $12 million to vendors as well as another $10 million she loaned her campaign from personal funds. Many of her supporters also hope she will gain a place on the Democratic ticket as the vice presidential nominee.
The gathering with donors, at a ballroom in Washington's posh Mayflower hotel, was private. But a pool reporter was allowed in to listen to the two senators' remarks, though a brief question-and-answer session afterward with donors was closed.
"It was a great meeting, a lot of standing ovations," said Terry McAuliffe, Clinton's national finance chairman and a longtime Clinton ally who once headed the Democratic National Committee.
On his way out, Vernon Jordan, a veteran Washington attorney and fixer, said the post-primary dance between the candidates was a familiar ritual.
"That's what you do after a primary, you unite," Jordan said. "There's only one issue: winning."
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Comments
Yes, The New Democ"rat"ic Party.
The party of the rich elite. They are the new PARTY BOSSES.
VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
Posted by: VJ Machiavelli | June 26, 2008 11:23 PM
"I know my supporters have extremely strong feelings, and I know Barack's do as well," Clinton said.
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You ain't seen nothing yet.
http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com
http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http://www.WALLSTREETCHANGE.com
Posted by: Alessandro Machi | June 27, 2008 1:22 AM
Just one big happy family! If you believe this I have a bridge I'd like
to sell you.
Posted by: Paul | June 27, 2008 7:13 AM
I find it interesting that Barack Hussein Obama is now talking nicely about his grandmother again.For a while he threw her off the bus after Rev Wright and the Father Pfleger speeches made him squeamish and he threw both of them off the bus and now grandma is back on.
But don't forget she is a typical white person as Obama said before.All this happiness and light in Unity,NH after a rough primary is really hard to believe.
Now Obama is for FISA with immunity when before he said he'd fillibuster it. He's now for NAFTA when his advisers told Canada not to worrry it was tough primary talk to be against it. Charles Krauthammer points out in his column today that Obama is flipping toward the center now that he doesn't need the netroots.Stay tuned Obama is running toward the center. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | June 27, 2008 9:16 AM
Posted by: Alessandro Machi | June 27, 2008 1:22 AM
What made you decide to support Hillary? Was it the name, or her personality? Cause it obviously wasn't about the issues. These 2 stood almost identical on the issues. While I would have voted for Clinton if she had won, I wonder what makes people like you not support the party. Are you just a sore sport? Are you some sort of fanatic that would throw away their vote to end this war because your angry? Their has been enough attack ads for every candidate out there on either side...that's politics (now) get over it...or don't, but nobody really cares about your temper tantrum. See the sad thing is you could just be some neo mole trying to stir it up.
Posted by: bill r. | June 27, 2008 9:56 AM
Imagine all the Obama Camp backroom high-fives and snickers on trying to "buy" Hillary's voters. I bet they're feeling pretty slick right now.
$4600 (bribe) / 17,493,836 (Hillary's total votes) = .000263 cents per vote
That's just 1 penny for every 3,802 Clinton votes!
C'mon Hillary supporters, say your vote isn't THAT cheap.
Obama is definately making a mockery of you!
Posted by: Do The Math | June 27, 2008 9:56 AM
C'mon Hillary supporters, say your vote isn't THAT cheap.
Obama is definately making a mockery of you!
Posted by: Do The Math | June 27, 2008 9:56 AM
Could this be another "wolf in sheeps clothing"? This poster is either a stir the pot from the right, or one of the "angry" Hillary supporters. Either way, they should call themselves what they are.....Republican. The right deserves them.
Posted by: bill r. | June 27, 2008 10:59 AM
Quote :What made you decide to support Hillary? Was it the name, or her personality? Cause it obviously wasn't about the issues. These 2 stood almost identical on the issues. While I would have voted for Clinton if she had won, I wonder what makes people like you not support the party."
Response:
George Soros is why I can't support the party right now. I like both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I actually was slightly leaning towards Barack Obama until I started hearing accusations that Bill Clinton was racist. (in south Carolina)
Then I saw the 11 state "losing streak" Hillary go through, and it didn't make sense.
How could someone win the big states and do so poorly in a whole series of contests?
I am convinced that George Soros has taken too much control of the democratic party, and that fair Reflection matters.
That is how I can "split my vote" this fall. I'm either going to vote for Obama and the Republican congresspeople from area, or the democratic congress people and John McCain.
Unless the plans in action right the wrong that has been done in this election and Hillary wins.
Posted by: Alessandro Machi | June 29, 2008 9:11 PM