Obama, Clinton To Hit Campaign Trail Together Next Week

CHICAGO — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign announced Friday that he will campaign with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton next week, a step toward unifying a fractured Democratic Party after a bruising primary fight.

Obama's campaign said in a brief e-mail that said the two senators and former opponents will campaign together for the first time on Friday, June 27, and more details would be forthcoming.

A day earlier, Obama and Clinton also plan to meet in Washington with some of her top contributors in an effort to calm donors who remain frustrated with Obama's presidential campaign. The former first lady will introduce Obama to her financial backers.

Clinton, a New York senator and former first lady, suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination earlier this month after Obama, an Illinois senator, secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination.

Obama's campaign disclosed the joint appearance _ but offered few details _ one day after announcing that he would reverse an earlier position and reject some $85 million in public financing for the general election. That announcement opened him up to a flood of criticism and dominated the news cycle.

Thus, Obama's campaign sought to redirect attention by putting word out a full seven days in advance that Obama and Clinton would campaign together.

Clinton ended her campaign on June 7, four days after Obama got enough delegates to clinch the nomination. "I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," she said at the time.

The two met privately on June 5 after ditching reporters to make sure there would be no photos or coverage of the first post-race meeting. Obama was asked Wednesday whether they were talking.

"I have not had conversations with Senator Clinton because she has been getting a well-deserved vacation," he said at the time. "We will be speaking I think in the next few days or certainly the next week and will be having an ongoing conversation."

Comments

[ludmilaquiros]

In my opinion, I think is a good idea that Barack Obama joins with Hillary Clinton. I think this is very important to the democratic party, because in these primaries, the republicans have demonstrated being stronger than democratics. I realized that a president like Obama could change several problems in The United States, specially problems of racial discrimination. I think United States is prepared to have an Afro-American president. It could change the History. But, we can't think that the racial problems are only in The United States. Each one of us know that every day there are thousand of discrimination's cases around the world. Our societies are illnesses, and everybody should find a solution. Ludmila Quiros.

[HerbTee]

I see the Clinton pack dogs are out in full force on this tread today. And people think bringing BO and HRC together is going to be a good thing? I say definitely NOT! All it's going to do is re-open old wounds. Just look at the behaviors on this blog between OB and HRC supporters. Clintonites need to understand one thing. BO and HRC do NOT like each other. Why would BO want her as VP? She's a total liability. The Repugs hate her guts, as if BO needs more of them piling on him with her on the ticket. He would lose most of his devoted supporters, plus the independents and the moderate Repubs. Is having Clinton on the VP ticket worth all that?

The best thing she can do for BO is to faithfully campaign for him as he helps her with her campaign debt with his large donors, while she provides him with her large donors for campaign funds. It's either that or she should get out of his way and go back to the Senate. But NO VP slot should come as part of the deal and BO already knows that I am sure. Then if the Dems lost to McCain, so be it.

[pupbayer]

He certainly needs her more than she needs him. I just hope she is getting something out of this like some of her debt paid off.

[orangepetal]

Clinton should NOT campaign with Obama, she is really a neo con and very racist. So not !!! Obama cult learn our History and start to respect a woman that the party threw in the ditch. We will not be convinced. How can you judge a man if not by the company he keeps. Hey Obama it's real crowded under the bus, do you have extra space in your SUV for Rev. Wright, Democrats really don't like racists.

[MissT]

Does that company you keep thing apply to HRC as well? Seems she has acquired quite a few repupuglican friends of late. Are you one of her new friends?

[denver]

It baffles me that the people in here are so angry twords Clinton.Obma's not its politics he knows you just don't.He knows he needs all of Hillary's supporters to win,for those of you that were in diapers durinf the 2000 election,it was a few hundred votes that seperated Bush and Gore in Florida.Obama supporters act so superior like he won in a landslide and it wasn't even close.The fact is he would not be the nominee without the superdelegates,Hillary is a fine public servent and has fought for the middle class and pour her whole adult life.Take off the hate blinders and pull your heads out of the clouds beofre you talk you guy into a loss!!!!! The republicans are onlt getting warmed up they are going to beat up Obama bad and the media is already singing their tune.Obama's love affair with the press is over...........Good luck to all you nieve kiddies out their hope you have lots of kleenex by your side

[Underthematrix]

I'm a staunch Obama supporter but I really like the idea of Obama and Clinton campaigning together. I think people are going to be surprised at how well they get along and how much they like each other. But what I like most about it is that Clinton will be able to shine in her own right. I really think Bill Clinton's presence did not Clinton with the people who didn't like her. Now that it's just her and Obama, it will be a different thing and set a different tone. I say we follow Obama's lead.

[orangepetal]

President Clinton had a 73 % approval rating. First Democrat President to serve two terms since almost forever. He drew massive crowds of supporters in democracies around the world. Where do you get your info ? Oh obviously from the Obama info lies machine.

[Prism]

Thank goodness. Ever since Hillary dropped out Obama has become the bland cypher he is portrayed on Saturday Night Live. She gives him sizzle and is the perfect foil. Without her he is a test-pattern.

[akkadian]

vp road test?

[danoj]

Nah not VP road test just half hearted effort on Clintons part so nobody can blame her and Bill if Obama happens to lose. Which, I might add, i'm sure she is hoping for. Hillary and Bill are the worst thing to happen to America in a very long time.

[fair1234]

Obama is doing well in the polls without Hillary but Hillary will only solidify his lead. I read that the republicans are regretting that Mccain is the nominee.

[DrDemon]

Solidify his lead? Ah-hmm...No.

Sorry, but that's not the type of solidification he needs!

The solidification he needs is something like: Obama/Gore or Biden or Zinni or Webb, etc.

[pupbayer]

He's not going to make her wear a jacket or anything with his new tacky logo, is he?

[1PALady]

Maybe there was some hope that the MSM would pick up on and run with the Larry Sinclair thing, just like they did the Rev Wright thing. Someone would be there to pick up the pieces.

[dajay]

Obama is lucky she is even campaigning anywhere with him. I hope this is the first and last time.

[hopeforchange]

Funny Hillary did not announce this. It sounds like yet another clumsy attempt by Obama to force Hillary supporters to help him out and pretend the Clintons support him.

[dajay]

I'm still not voting for Obama. Sorry Hillary.

[fair1234]

Obama does not need your vote. Vote for whomever you like but he will win the election with or without your vote.

[DrCahill]

Because you are a Republican! So stop pretending you even cared one bit about Hillary!

[AngelicDevilboy]

Really, why?
What has Obama done that is so unbelievably horrible that you prefer John McCain for president? It was a presidential race, I'm sorry she lost. Now get over it and start acting like adults before your whole country files chapter 11.
Now I don't know who's the best candidate for president, but it darn sure isn't john McCain.

(and i'm sorry if I misspelled anything, English is not my first language)

[DrDemon]

Good Job!

[abby4ever]

dajay didn't say he or she was voting McCain but only not voting Obama. Nor is it fair to say he or she is a Republican. Some of you people act as if it's a mortal sin not to vote Obama. I support him but I can't stand the bullying.

[wutzhappn]

Let me count the ways.....

[Lemeritus]

Does that mean neither one of them will be in the Senate next when the FISA bill comes knock-knock-knocking?

[Active]

NO! Clintonites will never support Obama unless Hillary in on that ticket!

[DrDemon]

Oh, you must be speaking about the one's that are a RACIST otr just a plain MESS! But, many of them aren't!

[mshazen]

I am a clinton supporter campaigning for Obama already! As are many others. Speak for yourself!!!

[patmancando]

bully for you. I am and I am not going to support Obama

[MattyD74]

I wonder if the people on this site have any idea how stupid you sound? Do you really think that Hillary Clinton does not continue to wield a significant amount of power. Do you really think that Obama should simply ignore her? All of these comments about getting a food taster and watching his back are the most ignorant I have heard on this site in a really long time. Not only can the majority of you idiots not spell...your logic is ludicrous. Reading the comments of the morons on this site makes me want to pull my hair out. If you continue on this "Clinton Vendetta" you will do nothing but alienate those of us who still support her and don't particularly like Obama. I am set on voting for him in the fall because he is the lesser of two evils...but reading comments from his so called "die hard supporters" sure leaves alot to be desired.

[patmancando]

Haven't you heard? Obama the messiah doesn't need Hillary's 18 million voters, He is going to seduce all those Repugs and indies, and those he can't he will buy off with all his millions.

[dajay]

MattyD74: It is useless. These morons will never get it. Don't waste your breath, they are hate mongers.

[oscartucker]

MattyD74 and others who are upset by some comments--everyone logged in is not a Democrat or Obama supporter. Some people are trying to stir up trouble under the guise of being a supporter. Let us all unite. Don't forget how "die hard supporters" can be; all of us have been there!

[joeinvt]

Matty

You misspelled ludacris.