Obama Says Bill Clinton Will Hit Campaign Trail For Him

NEW YORK — Barack Obama revealed Wednesday that former President Clinton, once the presidential nominee's nemesis, will campaign for him during the weeks leading up to Election Day.

"There's nobody smarter in politics," Obama said on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," scheduled to air Wednesday night. "And he is going to be campaigning for us over the next eight weeks, which I'm thrilled by."

The two were scheduled to have lunch Thursday at Clinton's office in New York. Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said the former president would campaign for Obama at a yet-to-be announced site in Florida on Sept. 29, with plans for more fundraising and events in the works.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton already has been hitting the trail for Obama.

During the Democratic presidential primary, the former president acted as his wife's chief defender from Obama's successful challenge to her candidacy, which strained relations between him and Obama. Clinton portrayed Obama as too inexperienced for a presidential run, and Obama said sometimes it was hard to tell which Clinton he was running against.

The two didn't speak for nearly a month after the campaign ended, but their silence ended when Obama called and the former president offered to do whatever he could to help Obama win.

Obama said there are parallels between his campaign against Republican John McCain and Clinton's 1992 race against incumbent GOP President George H.W. Bush. He said both came during tough economic times.

"He was young and people were still trying to figure out whether or not the guy was up to the job," Obama said of Clinton. "And so I think having him talk about why we need to change the economy in a fundamental way so it works for middle-class families so that they can get ahead, so that they can send their kids to college, I think he'd be a great advocate to have on behalf of the campaign."

Letterman asked Obama if he would consider Bill Clinton for a Cabinet position if he wins.

"I think if you are a former president, you don't take Cabinet positions," Obama said to laughter from the audience. "I think it's sort of been there, done that. It's sort of like getting Mickey Mantle to play AAA. You don't do it. But obviously you consult with him as often as you can, because, look, there are only a handful of people who have actually done the job."

Comments

[carole131]

Glad to hear that both Clintons are going to campaign for Sen. Obama. Hey, Bill, come down to The Villages, FL. We need some Democratic representation here!

[goredstates]

You people are so gullible. Clinton does not want Obama to win.
Oh yea count on Bill's help that get you over the top.

[justobserve]

I hope all of them will work hard to put a Democrat President in the WH.
"HAVE YOU HEARD McCAIN-PALIN LIE LATELY? Vote DEMOCRAT for AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE, WOMEN'S CHOICE, VETS BENEFITS, EQUAL PAY".

[leftoflennon]

He'll win and win handily

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHMeKqFP_LzUVeindmXH3n3SkHewD934LI4O0

[All57States]

I imagine he had the same thoughts about his wife winning the nomination.

[McChimp]

says someone whose name is based off of a silly smear.

[Bitsko]

Yeah yeah. Bill will make a speech and then go back to his vault. He's so over.

[leftoflennon]

Bush, McSame, Reagan will never be as good as Bill, mmmkay?!

[neetsie37]

You're full of it Bitsko. If I were Bill or Hillary, I'd hang up when he calls for help. Where was he when Bill was being attacked as a racist when he knows damn well that's not true. And he ought to get down on his knees and apologize to Hillary for the mudslinging they put her through. Deep down we all know he's sorry he didn't at least pick her for VP, he might not be in the tank like he is.

[TDancer]

ok, is there still a place to donate to Hillz?? I think it's time we stepped up for her now that she and Bill are stepping up for us....

[08politicaljunkie]

Nope. The last time you could donate to Hillary's failed primary bid was the moment right before Barack accepted the nomination.

[justagem]

If I was Hillary and Bill I wouldn't him do a damn thing.................He was so stupid not to pick Hillary as V-P

[joshrox]

Bill, stay out of this mess, Barry is a sinking ship and you are going to go down with it. Stay Away!

[nananance]

Bill and Hillary Clinton are committed to the Democrats winning the White House despite what happened in the primaries and they can have a big impact on voters in many swing states.
If you want to be cynical, you can say it's because should Obama lose, Hillary will be blamed for it by Obama's supporters but I think it's because Obama's stand on issues is far more like Hillary's than are John McCain's.
If Democratic Clinton-haters wish to question their sincerity and keep attacking them, we can fight each other instead of the Republicans all the way through the general election and then spend another four years debating what went wrong while the GOP runs the country.

[INDmind]

It's about time? What took him so long?

I'm surprised Bill is even doing this considering Obama labeled him a R*C*ST.

If the places were switched I doubt Obama would be out there.

[vitasackvillewesttexas]

oh please. sounds like your INDmind is more CLOSED than OPEN. obama never labeled anyone racist. find a quote of that and i'll say you know what you are talking about. otherwise, it's just bull. obama helped all the dems in '06. what makes you think he is not a team player?

[HawaiiBill]

You're kidding, right? You have to be...otherwise, if you weren't a Republican trying to stir trouble you would post a link to the article or the video clip of Obama calling or "labeling" President Clinton a racist. Can't find one? Really? Gee....strange that you would hurl such a dumb comment and then not be able to back it up.

[myke3000]

Obama never labeled Bill Clinton a racist. Cut it out. If you have proof of this, provide it or do the research yourself if you merely believe this to be true.

Barack Obama nor the Obama campaign has never labeled Bill Clinton a racist....so knock it off.

[jupitor]

This is smart stradegy! Ya Obama had a plan! Now the big guns and media catchers are comeing up to play hard ball! Soon a lot more will step up to the plate, while no one will for Mccain

[08politicaljunkie]

It was not Obama who labeled him nor his official campaign. In fact, cite me one instance, post the link please, where Obama himself accused anyone of racism.

Seems you've been drinking the same prune juice as John McCain.

[bootcamp]

the party that wrecked America - Republican Party

McCain-Palin have nowhere to go now but down, and I will tell you exactly how this will happen. They can run away from President Bush, but they can't run away from the Republican Party. The Republicans will be regarded from now on as "the party that wrecked America." Over the weeks ahead, as carnage in the economy and the financial markets ramps up, it will become increasingly clear. It is important that this meme be spread through the internet. I urge all commentators to adopt and spread the idea that the Republicans are "the party that wrecked America." It will work because it is the truth. Use it freely. Just spread the word.

[NoSillyName]

Lincoln is spinning in his grave, seeing what's become of his party.

[gladys46]

Peope died to make all inclusive in this country ... this brand of republican continue that civil war as if it was never fought & never won by the party of Lincoln!!!

[steamboat]

Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Jerry Ford were honorable men, also.

[ShamusNYC]

I would love to see Bill do a good speech on how slimey John McCain has become - the team of people around him, Sarah, etc... - not a yelling, hyper speech, but a calm commentary, shame-on-you type of thing

[NoSillyName]

Yeah? Didn't BC say he was "now ready" to support Obama several weeks ago?

And HRC? I wanna see her punch Palin right back to Alaska, never to be heard from ever again.

Time's a'wastin!

[steamboat]

This is my view, admittingly from a obnoxious, devils-advocate 3rd party independent:

Bill isn't doing it out of the kindness of his heart. Obama is going to OWE the Clinton's from this moment on.............as for Carter, he needs to stay at home. Do we really need to be reminded of his 9% unemployment, 21% inflation presidency.

[yhgtup]

Wow, Bill. It certainly took you long enough. Sept 29 -- that gives you, what, ONE MONTH -- to campaign for Barack? I guess the Palin pick got your "mo-jo" working. You don't want to see another woman make it to the whitehouse before Hillary. But, during these desperate times -- we'll take whatever time you can spare.

[Justsaynodeal]

" I guess the Palin pick got your "mo-jo" working"

Always the snide little jab at Bill Clinton. I doubt if the 0-man, whose back is against the ropes in this fight, would approve of your continual snarking at the one man (and woman) who might pull this election out for the boy genius.

[MaryfromMontcoPA]

We in the ground game, doing the community organizing out of Obama-Biden's field offices are the ones who have the power to elect Barack Obama. One or two big name Dems do not own our votes.

We're grateful for whatever help Hill, Bill, and every big name Dem can give us.

[lfvaugn3]

sarah palin have poision so many foolish american women's and men's, sarah have brain-watched so many that will vote for her and john mccain, sarah palin have outlawed abortion, a woman can get raped by a stranger or her dad, or her family member and sarah say no to abortion do you really want this person for a v.p. and 1 step away from the president, john mccain may be dead within a year if he is elected and then our life is in the hand's of sarah who we know she will have bush back in the white house, all womens better realize that this woman is not for us or our family's.