Clinton, Obama: We Will Unite

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — They may bicker daily over issues, character and innuendo, but both Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama appear to agree on one thing: Democratic voters will coalesce around a nominee and carry him or her to victory in November over Republican John McCain.

At a rally here Thursday, Clinton was asked what she would say to Democrats so invested in her candidacy or Obama's that they would consider voting for McCain in the general election if their preferred candidate isn't the nominee.

"Please think through this decision. It is not a wise decision," Clinton said to applause.

"Every time we have a vigorous contest like we're having this primary election, people get intense. Senator Obama has intense support. I have intense support. It's exciting because people want to be involved. But, the differences ... pale in comparison to the differences between us and Senator McCain."

North Carolina holds its primary May 6, with 115 delegates at stake.

Obama made a similar point Thursday in an interview on ABC's "World News."

"There are going to be some bruised feelings, whoever the nominee is. We are going to have to come together and remind ourselves that there is a heck of a lot bigger difference between either Senator Clinton or myself, and John McCain," Obama said.

He said the protracted contest would not harm the party in the long run.

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"I think short term, there is going to be work to do for the nominee to bring the party back together again. People feel pretty passionate about their respective candidates. I appreciate that, and I understand it," Obama said.

The former first lady, who trails Obama in the popular vote and in pledged delegates, has pushed back on critics who argue that she should cease her criticisms of the Illinois senator and end her campaign so he can focus on defeating McCain.

Clinton pledged Thursday to be a team player no matter the outcome of the primary contest.

"I intend to do everything I can to make sure we have a unified Democratic Party," she said. "When this contest is over and we have a nominee, we're going to close ranks. We're going to be united ... The most important goal for us is to put a Democrat back in the White House."

Even Al Gore, the former vice president and 2000 Democratic nominee, professed no urgency to resolving the contest in an interview with The Associated Press.

"What have we got, five months left?" he said, when asked about whether he would make an endorsement soon.

When pressed on whether the nominee could be decided before the national convention in August, Gore said: "I think it's going to resolve itself. But we'll see."

___

Associated Press writer Eric Schelzig in Murfreesboro, Tenn., contributed to this report.

Comments

[nachtengel]

I'm a white male Libertarian with my head in check with how much either side can really do, both good and bad.

I will NOT in any way vote for any Clinton, period. Gore... yes, another qualified Female candidate...yes. But a Clinton never, they are so deeply entrenched in savage corruption and an all out assault against America and it's people. They are not singularly in bed with our enemies, they are in bed with everyone, or more specifically anyone who is in Vogue and will cut them a check.

I wouldn't vote for McCain either, simply because he is clearly a puppet, or even a scarecrow, but if he has an incredible veep, or aligned him self with heavy hitting PROVEN financial wizards, I would seriously consider voting Republican (I can't believe I am even thinking this...) if I was to vote at all in November.

[sebocd]

Meanwhile back at the ranch Slick Willie is killing two birds with one stone praising John McCain as a moderate, anti-torture, environmentalist, and one of two top lovers of America.
And who could be so cleaver as Willy to praise someone as an American Hero "even if he didn't lay down his life.for his country." So Bill reminds conservative Republicants of the things they hate about McCain and neutralizes McCain's heroism while paying it lip service.
Hillary's "the Democratic Party first" crap is a sure sign she gettin nervous that the party leadership is about to hit the big gong and hook her off the stage.

[ruscle]

I can't convince myself to vote for Hillary if she gets the nomination. I think Hillary is a Corporate Dem/Republican-lite. I don't think she intends to end the war. Even if she wanted to, I don't think she has the leadership to. She won't/can't fulfill her campaign promises.

I think Clinton will tarnish the Democrat brand. People will see Wall Street is more important to her than main street. The war won't end. Nothing will change. Her triangulating amongst DC insiders, Corporations and Repubs will not accomplish anything. I think there will be just as many deaths under Hillary as under McCain.

I worry that she will leave behind a crippled party that will not recover for 10-20 years.

I think McCain is as moderate as Clinton. He talks RIGHT to get elected, Clinton talks LEFT. Both voted for war. Bill called him a moderate recently.

If the country is going to remain stagnant, pin the failure on a Repub. president. Let them take the heat for 4 more years of war and the economy.

That's why I would vote for McCain if Hillary is the nominee.

Can anyone talk me out of it? Or am I right?

[jakie]

I WILL NOT VOTE FOR HILLARY I WILL STAY HOME

[fixbone]

perhaps we should inform hrc about this new attitude - her response to the econmic speechs was to ridicule Obama's - not critique it, not discuss various points and counterpoints - angain hrc does not seem to understand how to stay positive, on the issues and the content of the issues - please clintonites keep her on message that it is the issues that matter - she is a strong enough candidate on her own merits, intelligence and issues - she does not need to go personal, demeaning and ridicule tactics

[constitutionalive]

Dems need to unite around a good solution to US grave problems/imminent crises: what will US voters want from a candidate when world food/water shortages hit home in USA ? Who can save the nation from such catastrophe ? Should we not look at Nobel Prize winner, Al Gore, CERTAINLY "appropriately experienced for the presidency [republicans, christians, which would you rather have, money in your pockets or food/water on your tables ?] THINK of consequences of food/water shortages [todays republicans, unlike Eisenhower, are incapable of envisioning consequences since their attitude is "nothing is real unless their accountant says it is so"] ...how would republicans protect themselves from global illnesses, crime and violence which would certainly follow such shortages;organized crime would create a black market for food/water which only the wealthy could afford but which trade would be as dangerous as trading with drug lords ! Any republican who remembers Eisenhower's wisdom must seek to support a presidential candidate who could preempt such devastations which collapse nations and annihiliate cultures/societies;John McCain may be the best republican candidate the party has, but surely, Al Gore has a better comprehension of the problems of food/water shortages. John Edwards has the best understanding the essence of US Constitution, i.e., assertion of rights of The Individual over any government as the definition of American democracy. Perhaps an Al Gore pres candidate, a John McCain VP candidate, and a John Edwards US AG ...could indeed re-unite the nation ?

[court99]

There is a huge flaw to the Democrats belief that "we will unite". The issue is not racism or sexism. The issue is whether or not one vote counts. Superdelegates make people believe that their vote doesn't count. There doesn't seem to be a need for superdelegates or the electoral college. Obama supporters believe that he has the lead in the popular vote and delegates....so if superdelegates push towards Hillary, they won't be mad because they don't like Hillary, they will be mad because their vote didn't count, and they will more than likely not vote at all. Issues around FL and MI are pure BS because no one had a problem when Dean made this decision months ago, not even Hillary, and now all of a sudden people don't want FL and MI to be disenfranchised. TOTAL CRAP! If anyone leaves the Dem party or doesn't vote Dem, it is a reflection of the stupidity of the Dem leadership and nothing else.

[SmellTheHorse]

so it seems Chelsea has inherited her parents' relationship with the truth...

BENSALEM, Pa. -- Chelsea Clinton mistakenly said President Bush had not toured the Middle East as president before arriving there earlier this year.

Speaking at a retirement community outside of Philadelphia, the former first daughter suggested Bush had not been as engaged in the Middle East as previous Commanders-In-Chief, comparing his work to President Clinton’s in Northern Ireland.

“President Bush was in the Middle East last month, and its great that he was there, but that was his first trip there as president,” she said at the Wood River Village Assisted Living Center. “He’d visited our men in northern Iraq before but he’d never been to Israel; he’d never been to Jordan, he’d never been to Saudi Arabia or Egypt; he just hadn’t been.”

Bush in fact traveled to Egypt, Jordan and Qatar in 2003, and was in Jordan again in 2006.

Ms. Clinton made the same iaccurate comments the following day.

[NeoStar9]

I will NOT vote for McCain if Hillary ends up with the nomination over Obama in the end due to his stance on the war (if that changes then maybe I'll give him a closer look depending on who he plans on having in his cabinet and who his VP is.) However I will still NOT vote for Hillary though. I'd sooner vote a 3rd party if Obama isn't on the ticket (and at the head if by some act of god Hillary ends up the VP). In fact I've already begun researching the 3rd parties and who they are putting up just in case.

I was a kid in the 90s so I don't really have any strong feeling toward the Clintons so I'm not blinded by the supposed "good years" before Bush came into office. I don't think Obama would be perfect, far from it but I haven't see anything that makes me think Hillary would do a good job.

What has she done as Senator of New York that has been really serious?

Clinton lost Congress when he was in office. Nothing makes me think that won't happen again if Hillary is in office. I feel better about Dems gaining seats and other positions with Obama at the top of the ticket even if he doesn't win in the end. Winning the White House isn't everything. Winning more seats in Congress is just as important. Remember the President doesn't make law, Congress does.

[NeoStar9]

He or she can veto but if you have enough people you can override that veto and still get a law passed. Dems have a better chance of having that happen with Obama going up against McCain. If more seats are taken McCain would be limited in what he could do and it's still a win in the end.

Hillary should try to run for Governor of New York. I think she could take the position easily and still be a top player in the party by setting examples for other states to follow if she does things right.

[richardsgirl]

If Senator Obama does not win the nomination, I will have to hold my nose and vote for Hillary anyway. But I will be voting for the Democratic Party. The presidency is very important, but we have to think beyond that one office. We have to think about winning a meaningful majority in the congress and about the potential nominees for the Supreme Court, and the Party that is sitting in the White House can make a difference in both of these areas. We also have to remember that John McCain, as moderate as some perceive him, is a warmonger and probably still has issues from his experience in Vietnam. He would be as useless as President Bush in respect to changing the direction of the country and changing the course in Iraq by bringing our troops home. I honestly do not believe that Senator Clinton can defeat John McCain in the general, and I also don't think that she would be much different than John McCain; but I cannot give John McCain my vote. In this case, between McCain and Hillary, he is the worse of two evils.

[conscioushope]

Hillary needs to exit gracefully.

[LBM]

She has shown that she is a true leader and the one who is committed to do what's best for the democratic party. She will make sure that her very devoted constituents will vote for the democratic nominee whoever that is. If Obama were a true leader and cared about the good of this country, he would do the same. Hillary is praised for her economic plan, her medical plan, all that came out this week, but what is the press hammering on? They are the ones responsible for the negatives. Look at the issues and who would make the best President. It's such an obvious choice. In the latest polls democrats overwhelmingly want both Obama and Clinton to stay in the race. Only 22% want either of them to exit. It's a tie, let it play out.

[billrott]

Seriously, the only reason Hillary is starting to talk about unity is because she has seen the impact of her actions on the polls where she has higher negatives than ever.

[vlebje]

Bingo, billrott. She was stung that we Americans can see through her bitterness and venom and recognize what she is. She is no unifier by any definition of the word. She is a divider, and will do anything -- anything -- including destroy the Democratic party and the constitution to get her place in the sun.

But there is one way in which I do disagree with my own candidate, Barack Obama. He ought to know that I would never, never, no never vote for HRC -- ever. The likes of union-busting, Rove-licking Mark Penn, James Carville the Twit, the neo-fascist Lanny Davis, and other miserable human beings would be part of her administation and I would almost rather continue with the neo-cons than to take that!

[Pepper14]

I think they are going to be surprised to find out how many dems stay home or vote for McCain out of spite.

[IslandGyal]

billrott,
Yep, because as usual Hillary is looking out for #1. She could care less about damaging Obama in her quest for glory, but now that she sees her numbers are free falling, she will make a feeble attempt at unification; I don't buy that hogwash for one second. Let's see what she does in the run up; I am sure she will be back to defaming Barack shortly.

[nazgul]

BINGO!!

[drblack]

If you like Bush vote for McCain,
If you are a rational human vote for the Democrat.
A Democratic President with a Democratic Congress will get Progressive stuff done.
There is also the matter of Supreme Court judges and such.
Neither Clinton or Obama were my first choice but I will vote for a Democrat because another 4 years of RepubliCONS will ruin the US and destroy what is left of American Freedom and Prosperity.

[TheJibreelaMonsters]

These "Progressive" are the same people that are governors of state such as:

Michigan
Massachusetts
Maryland
New York
New Jersey
Ohio

Get the pattern

oh and a bonus: The City of New Orleans

Elected a Democrat = Return to Jimmy Carter

[WLA]

A) What the hell does any of that mean?

B) I would elect Carter again over McSame any day of the week.

[fredamae]

.........And for those who choose to abstain from voting or will choose to vote for "MC Bane" http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banee) rather than a Democratic candidate will be cutting off your nose to spite your face. It is just "the IS".

Please consider the Big Picture as you choose, this "spoilers attitude" is Rovian, are you really gonna drink THAT koolaid......Again????

the PUBS want us to do this very thing, get so pissed our choice of candidate was not nominated that we vote for mcbane...its his ONLY chance of winning.

As you review either Dem Candidates performance, REMEMBER WE are only shown Exactly what the Media wants us to see, to leave us with an "illusion" of doubt, uncertainty.....OR complete trust, admiration for whom "they" want US to want and despair over the "less favorable"

Not many of us get to be up front and see in person, on a Daily basis just WHO these people are.

Stop relying on MSM for your only information as you decide,

on a side note....why has the HuffPO failed to report on the Alabama Governor who was released from prison yesterday?
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/us/28alabama.html?bl&ex=1206849600&en=2b8813acc5ae4a95&ei=5087%0A

if it is posted and i missed it, apologies.
this whole scandal, with potential Rove connections is the type of crap we can expect to see a LOT MORE of if McBane is elected

[nevadagirl]

I find it interesting that Republicans are willing to vote for a crazy old man whose Republican credentials they doubt, but Democrats are whining endlessly when either of our candidates would be miles ahead of what we've had for the last seven years. Writing in a candidate displays a profound ignorance of how democracy works.

[Fabienne]

Can you truly imagine a Clinton getting "Progressive stuff" done?

[drblack]

I can imagine a Democratic Congress getting Progressive stuff done. I can Imagine a Democratic Congress getting vetoes from a republiCON President McCain.

[astheworldturns]

Yes!

[IslandGyal]

drblack,
Intellectually I understand that, but Hillary Clinton will NOT be rewarded for her behavior. I prefer to vote against my self interest that vote for her!

[fixbone]

no, please avoid acting on your emotional feelings at this time, i too hate hrc and her methods BUT her positions on issues and policies are MUCH MORE to my liking, MCCain is completely unacceptable - I hope and pray that we will be able to bury the hatchet so to speak and stay democrat vs repub when it comes time to vote in the general election - staying home is equivalent for voting for the other side

[pinkyboo]

Talk about cutting of your nose to spite your face!!

[tumblewind]

Hillary's performance these last few months has left a lot to be desired! But, if she is the nominee I will hold my nose and vote for her. I became a Democrat years ago because I was fed up with the way the Republican Party was doing things! That's even truer today. So I will under no circumstances vote Republican! I just wish someone would end this mess! I am tired of the whole thing. It's been going on for over a year. It's turning people off of our message!

[bdl0715]

Why is HuffPost not reporting that Senator Bob Casey of PA is endorsing Senator Obama today? That is a huge endorsement and another Super D in the Obama column.

[billrott]

It is an extremely important endorsement. Casey and Rendell went head to head a few years back over the Governorship and Casey lost by a slim margin. Casey is seen more as his father as being a member of the working class out of Scranton. This endorsement is huge. It will cause many of the older Democrats that like Bob Casey Sr. to take a second look at Obama. It will also cause other super delegates that are not committed to break ways with Rendell.

[fixbone]

i agree in spite of my feeling toward the other candidate (hrc or ob) which are pretty strong right now - i would NEVER consider voting for McCain. I extend my hand in respect to hrc and ob for making this clear and openly promoting this. Now I guess both will refrain from suggesting that the other is not qualified to be president for the rest of the primary campaign and simply stick to the issues and their psoitions- right??