Obama and Clinton Reunite In Unity, NH

WASHINGTON — Former rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton plan to campaign together Friday in the small New Hampshire town of Unity, their first joint appearance meant to ease tensions over the closely fought Democratic primary.

The location, announced Monday, was chosen not only for the symbolism of its name, but because each candidate received exactly 107 votes there in the Jan. 8 primary. Obama spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said the campaign was still finalizing the location for the rally, which will be open to the public.

Independent-minded New Hampshire is a critical battleground state in November. Bush won the state in 2000, but Democrat John Kerry narrowly captured it in 2004. The state also has one of the most competitive Senate races this year, with former Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen looking to oust GOP Sen. John Sununu.

The Obama campaign's goal is to win all 19 states Kerry carried and it considers New Hampshire the most competitive among them. John McCain has been a popular candidate in the Republican primaries _ he won New Hampshire in his unsuccessful 2000 presidential bid and prevailed again this year.

McCain also won the town of Unity with 81 votes, 11 more than GOP rival Mitt Romney. To even further the symmetry, Clinton and Obama each got one write-in vote on Republican ballots.

Clinton ended up stunning even herself when she won the New Hampshire Democratic primary after losing to Obama in Iowa. The victory resuscitate Clinton's waning candidacy and set up the long campaign with Obama.

Former President Clinton does not plan to appear with his wife and Obama, ceding the spotlight to the two former foes.

Obama and Clinton spoke by phone Sunday night. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs on Monday confirmed the telephone conversation, but declined to give details.

The rally will be the day after Obama and Clinton meet privately Thursday at a Washington hotel with former Clinton donors. The former first lady will introduce Obama to her financial backers, who have been slow to embrace her one-time opponent.

Clinton, a New York senator, suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination earlier this month after Obama, an Illinois senator, secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination. "I endorse him and throw my full support behind him," she said at the time.

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said she will make the same pitch to her supporters that they should support Obama "with everything we still need to accomplish and with the stakes as high as they are."

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On the Net:

http://www.barackobama.com

Comments

[nclayla]

Just a thought...­......Does anyone other than me ever wonder how many of those claiming to be Hillary supporters while degrading Obama, insulting his supporters, singing Hilary's praises, promising to vote for McCain and generally just spreading a message of hate and intolerance actually are Hillary supporters? Seems like some are agitators, republicans, trolls or just plain idiots.

[sharonh]

My answer would be not many are Hillary supporters, just agitators. Do you wonder why all the hate for Clinton by Obama supporters. None of the supposed logic they claim actually makes any sense. I

[nclayla]

I understand all too well how frustrating it is for the Obama supporters to be baited by the hateful comments of the Clinton supporters (or agitators pretending to be Clinton supporters). You are right - none of the supposed 'logic' being employed against Obama makes any sense at all.

[Mercurial]

I believe very few are actually Hillary supporters. EVERY Hillary supporter I know personally ...and I know quite a few...are now supporting Obama wholeheartedly. I think it is agitators for the most part. They want attention so they make outrageous statements and it gets them exactly what they are craving.

[abby4ever]

***Former President Clinton does not plan to appear with his wife and Obama, ceding the spotlight to the two former foes.***

Right. From abc news blog page Political Punch, 14 hours ago:

"Former President Bill Clinton spoke to the U.S. Conference of Mayors and only managed to mention Obama once, for supporting a program Clinton initiated as president.­"

What enthusiasm!

[sharonh]

What would you have him do? That he lent support by his presence speaks volumes about his loyalty to the party--as well as Ms. Clintons.

[Daisy1111]

Since a thread below has gone too long, I'd like to repeat something here.

I will not be bullied into voting for O b a m a based on RoeVWade. It's a shallow attempt at scare tactics.

We've had 7.5 years of GW and two of his appointees. The statute still stands.

And for those who think I'm a low information voter, I know the one justice most likely to retire in the nest 4 years is the most conservative on the bench. Worst case scenario -- one conservative would be switched for another.

The presumptive democratic nominee will not win my vote based one RoeVWade.

Nice try though.

[eden4barack08]

We know your plan is McCain 08, so you can get HRC2012.

By that account, there's absolutely NOTHING anyone can 'bully' you into believing.
So stop pretending it's just RvW and scram over to your PUMA site.

[Daisy1111]

If M c C a i n was good enough to be considered for the VP slot on K e r r y' s ticket in 2004, he's good enough for me.

[TJRich]

HRC will not get 2012 on my vote. I'm done with her now. There are many other eligible women who can toss their hats into the ring and we ought to be looking beyond.

[frustratedinohio]

HRC can win in 2012 even if Obama wins in 2008. Your luv will fade, when nothing gets fixed.

[AdamND]

too bad that there is a chance that within the next 4.5 years 3 justices will retire because of age. RIght now there is barly a balance between justices. If McCain had his way he would fully tilt the court conservative.

I'm goign to find it kind funny and sad at the same time when I hear people like you say this stuff and then McCain wins and then he tilts the court very conservative and they overturn roevwade than all of you people who were so for PUMA and McCain come back to these blogs and cry about it being overturned.

[olivia]

Then there is that "bomb bomb bomb Iran" thing.

I know many of them are ignorant and uneducated but I do hold accountable the people who voted for Bush for the carnage and torture in Iraq. We do each have a responsibility to inform ourselves if we vote.

I don't know what the excuse is of the Hillary for McCain people. Temporarily blinded to the issues by their emotion, perhaps.

But if McCain is elected and bombs Iran, I will blame them too.

[olivia]

You're willing to forego the chance to replace a conservative judge with a progressive one, FOR LIFE.

We who vote also have to live with our conscience. Nobody can bully you - I doubt anybody wants to - and nobody can help you with that conscience thing either. It's all yours.

[Daisy1111]

Boo hoo hoo.

[GeoLee]

I challenge everyone here to follow my lead and contribute directly..­...to the campaign of Governor Shaheen today. And while you are at it google in Al Franken's campaign headquarters and contribute there follosed by a similar act for Bruce Lunsford. Wouldn't it be wonderful to help oust McConnell, Sununu and Coleman? If every one of you contributed 5 or 10 dollars or what you could afford we will have the REAL change you believe in.

[olivia]

I'm sending in a little pin $ to Al Franken, got a letter from him yesterday. Thanks for the other names.

The House and Senate majorities are every bit as important as the presidency.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Actually, they are MORE important because Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee and Hillary Clinton is not. When John McCain wins the Presidency, a super-majority in the House and Senate is the only way Democrats can have any say in the Government.
American voters will not elect a Liberal Democrat as President and when Obama moves to the center, his fair weather supporters will drop him like a hot rock. McCain will move toward the center, the Republican base will get behind him against Obama, and John McCain will become President. George W. Bush will bomb Iran if Obama becomes President Elect in November and we don't want that to happen, do we?

[Marichu]

Well, I guess the symbolism for both BO and HRC to hold their very first joint appearance in Unity, NH is apparent. With a name like Unity and the resulting equal split in votes (107 each), the town is tailor-made for this political function.
They could just as easily come to Tampa, FL. Nothing symbolic in the name, our primary didn't count, we were made to feel like the illegitimate redheaded stepchild, but many Floridians living here and the surrounding area would love to see and hear such great politicians speak.
There's a rumor going around here that Florida will be able to participate (meaning our votes will actually count!) in the next presidential election. But that's just a rumor, no confirmation yet.

[olivia]

You must be planning to throw out those bums in your state who voted to break the rules, huh. Congratulations that is the right move. Smart of you to blame the parties who are responsible for the mess. Florida has messed up the last three elections somehow. It's time for them to clean house.

[Marichu]

The power of my vote and voice is what I will have to use to "throw out those bums" from state government.
I am confused with your reference to Florida messing up the last three elections. I remember vividly 2000, and of course what happened this year (Michigan was also embroiled in this brouhaha), but what’s the third? If it's 2004, that was Ohio, Florida can't be the spoiler all the time, gotta give other states a chance at messing up elections.

[chitown8]

For you Clinton supporters hoping that Mccain wins. Remember this once the new SC justice is elected and Abortion is over turned even in 2012 Clinton won't be able to change it. Remember they do not have to answer to any one except the constitution. If you want your daughters, sisters, nieces and cousins in back alleys or with Voodoo doctors think about with you head and not your V.


Woman to woman.

Give a brotha a chance.
Life is more important than going aganist your own interest.

[Daisy1111]

Keep the scare tactics off the talking points.

If R o e v W a d e is ever overturned, and it will not be, the issue of abortion will be turned over to the states to decide if they want legal abortion.

Considering that 75% of A m e r i c a ns say they are pro-choice, how many states do you think will outlaw abortion?

I can't think of one that would.

[Mercurial]

I wouldn't get too comfortable Daisy....

Two polls were released in May 2007 asking Americans "With respect to the abortion issue, would you consider yourself to be pro-choice or pro-life?" A CNN poll found 45% said pro-choice and 50% said pro-life.[­9] Within the following week, a Gallup poll found 49% responding pro-choice and 45% pro-life.[­10]

I copy and pasted that from wikipedia.­..

[NoahVail]

Get real. This is an extremely dangerous form of complacency. Do not take the teasing you get here so seriously that you try to destroy the nation.

[olivia]

I guess bombing Iran and losing more of our Constitution and personal freedom doesn't bother you.

There will be blood on the hands of anyone who helps to elect another neocon.

If Obama wins, and he might, it's going to be a long and exhausting four years for you if you are unable to move on.

[olivia]

I'm going to take a wild guess that you don't live in the midwest.

There are states that would do this.

[Oldtt]

Roe v. Wade did not make abortion legal per se, it ruled that states could not pass laws banning it. New York had already legalized abortion prior to Roe, and that would not change. Other states have the same option. Unless the court somehow might seek proactively to make abortion illegal - which could happen based on some 'rights of the unborn' argument - the situation would not be unrecoverable. For that to happen would be a usurpation of states' rights by a conservative court, but - hey! - look at their 2000 decision interfering with the Florida Supreme Court ruling on recounts. On the other hand, if the Dems have firm control of the Senate, longtime Senator McCain would probably know enough to negotiate for more moderate appointees to avoid an easy fillibuster. However much McCain panders now to his own right wing, he is at heart a maverick and would probably be a one-term President with few restrictions.

[Daisy1111]

Excellent post Oldtt. I agree 100%

[eden4barack08]

You're correct. In fact the problems with a McCain presidency are far, far, GREATER than the threat to overturn Roe v Wade, which will never happen!

[AdamND]

actually this is true if you lived in a state that generally a blue state like NY, CA, MASS ect that care about womens right.

But If you live in a deep red state like ND,SD,TX just to name a few then your SOL on having state abortion rights.

So unless you can afford to drive/fly to NY or a state like it you will be unable to choose your reproduction rights.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Single issue voters like you are what got George W. Bush elected. There is much more to a Presidential election than Abortion, Guns, Bibles, and Taxes.
To vote for an individual for President based on campaign speeches and not previous history is very foolish.
That is why the United States voters normally elect Governors, they don't have history like a legislator does so they can be anything they say they are. George W. Bush as a "Compassionate Conservative", for example. Jimmy Carter as "Change", "Hope", and "Integrity". Does that sound familiar?
Look how Obama was able to beat Hillary Clinton up because of a vote that 21 other Democratic Senators voted the same way on.
Obama's attraction is that he had no history to beat him up on, so he became everybody's candidate with vague promises of "Hope" and "Change".
I expect the Country to swing from "Corporate Welfare" to "Social Welfare" under Obama and I wanted General Welfare like we had in the 90's under "The Clintons". Go ahead kiddos, call me stupid but I lived it and you only heard about how terrible the Clinton Administration was. If what you heard was really true, why is Obama bringing most of the Clinton people into his campaign.
Why didn't we just nominate the real article instead of a nobody from Chicago that makes pretty speeches.

[Mercurial]

Under Clinton, we suffered 6 major attacks that were orchestrated by Bin Laden. So excuse me if I am not interested in what "The Clintons" have to offer.

[mindlessmissy]

President Obama '09

[WFV]

I have rather enjoyed the lack of bickering lately, and the attention being given to the two candidates still in the race. Allowing her the national stage again is a mistake, in my opinion. Here we will have to go again with the 'what ifs' and all the other wrangling from those who just cannot accept the outcome of the primary.

Clearly, the main focus is to offset her massive debt. Isn't there some way to do this without having to go through all this again?

[orangepetal]

No the main focus is NOBAMA, and it is not the end sir, it is just the beginning.­...

[WFV]

Like I said.....

[WFV]

Sexism!!!!! I am not a 'sir'.....

[nclayla]

"NOBAMA"??­??????????­?

Still name calling, huh?

Guess you aren't going to be part of any Democratic 'unity', huh?

[olivia]

Of course the rest of us realize this is her intent, and it's why we aren't celebrating her return.

[rubyrubyruby]

hmmm well...wha­t if?

[Mercurial]

Speaking of her massive debt.....i­sn't it truly amazing what narcissism costs these days?

[orangepetal]

No, the focus is Nobama. Simple.

[blurredtruth]

Nicolae Carpathia has arrived!

[Daisy1111]

He doesn't need a VP -- he's so amazing he can be his own VP.

He really doesn't need a cabinet either. He can do it all himself.

He campaign by himself too.

All he needs is a big crowd imported from out of state, a teleprompter and a borrowed speech.

He can do it all -- he's that good.

[pleeezzze]

We all know that .
He also does'nt need her 18 mil voters according to all the O posters , who can't control their bashing .
Are they still getting paid for that ?

[WFV]

Sore losers.

[olivia]

It's not 18 million.

[pupbayer]

LOL! I've thought that many times myself!

[olivia]

I'm looking for facts in your post, and there are none. Just emotion.

Well if it makes you feel better...

[rosal]

daisy" Another resident of Looserville. Ex-resident of dramaville. When are you coming to resignatedville?

[debwarot]

What is it like to be so bitter?

[KeysDan]

Rather than Senator Obama and Senator Clinton campaigning with stilted speeches proclaiming unity and cohesiveness, a constructive pairing would be for our standard bearer, Mr. Obama, to invite Mrs. Clinton to join him in a tag team filibuster on the FISA bill, and to walk arm-in-arm to cast their no votes. Protecting and defending the liberal underpinnings to the U.S. Constitution, preventing the legalization of illegal acts committed and preserving the right of civilians to demand accountability from communication giants offers a magnificent opportunity to not only demonstrate political unity, but also, to show solidarity in respect and reverence for the rule of law. The intense media spotlight and Made-for TV drama should serve to bring the critical stakes to the attention of the electorate and serve both the country's and their interests.

[Lerk4]

I LOVE that idea!

[WFV]

Interesting idea. You should email it to the campaign.

Something substantial could even help the former frontrunner with her debt.

[olivia]

Excellent idea. If they actually DID SOMETHING together people might believe in this show of unity.

The stumping together won't erase the things she said about him. Working together might.

[mypov123]

Personally, even at the risk of losing the election, I would rather see him with a running mate who can not only help him appeal to the groups that he's had some difficulty reaching out to (there are other candidates who can do this), but also someone who genuinely supports his candidacy and believes that he is a capable leader for our nation. I'm sorry, but I doubt that Sen. Clinton would be a genuine "team player" with Sen. Obama, I don't feel it yet.. Plus, the GOP has said that they're going to use what public criticisms Sen. Clinton made about Sen. Obama during the primaries, they're going to use her words against him, how can she convincingly refute all the negative attacks she's made, saying that McCain would be a better president? Umm, no. Not only that, but should they run together and win the election, I don't think they would be able to work very well together, there would still be some hard feelings (and mistrust) on both sides that would hinder it.

[HeevenSteven]

Meanwhile, Bill's gonna be in Intercourse Pennsylvania.

[closetodemfection]

Crawl back into your cave.

[HeevenSteven]

Oh c'mon, It practically wrote itself. I'm shocked and awed that I was the first to think of it here...bet the late night comics go for it.

[mike53]

CarterJr looks like he wants Bills wife in the "biblical" way in the picture huffpo posted.

[debwarot]

If you were aiming for tacky and crude - you have succeeded.

[rubyrubyruby]

Puma's Unite!

[ghop]

All 300 of you! Woo-hoo!

[pleeezzze]

When it's 18 million you can go whoopee !