Barack & Bill Make Their Stage Debut Together (VIDEO)

Is this the happy ending to the fairy tale of Barack and Bubba?

Tonight, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton led a rally in Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida -- the long-anticipated debut of both men on the same stage .

"Look at this crowd! It's not only big it is highly diverse," said Clinton, who had been criticized for sometimes racially-charged comments during the Democratic primary. "You've even got a few old gray headed white guys like me. You haven't shut my demographic out yet."

The 42nd President praised Obama for picking Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate: "He hit that one out of the park folks.'' And he made a strong case for why current Democratic nominee should be sent to the White House. "Folks," he concluded, "we can't fool with this -- our country hangs in the balance... Folks, this man should be our president.''

Obama, saying he was proud to be friends with the Clintons, returned the praise repeatedly. "In case all of you forgot, this is what it's like to have a great president," he told the crowd. "We all wish the last eight years looked more like the Clinton years.''

Watch the rally:

There were practical political purposes to the event as well. The former president and his wife are extremely popular in Florida. Sen. Hillary Clinton shared the stage with Obama during a rally in the state last week that drew up to 60,000 people.

Story continues below

advertisement

And certainly the Sunshine State is once again shaping up to be a key battleground in the presidential election. The latest Pollster.com average of surveys shows Obama with a relatively slim three-point advantage over John McCain, 48.2 percent to 45.3 percent. Moreover, Republicans in Florida have a vaunted get-out-the-vote operation, and Gov. Charlie Crist claimed on Wednesday that internal McCain campaign polling shows the GOP ticket actually out in front.

The Obama-Bill Clinton joint appearance was timed to take advantage of local 11 o'clock news coverage, and promises to be front page material in Florida papers Thursday morning. It also seems to signal that the pair have settled -- or at least put aside -- any lingering tension in their relationship, which was bruised during the hard-fought primary and remained seemingly frosty during the early months of the general election. In an appearance on Meet the Press just one month ago, for instance, Clinton declined to identify Obama with the same "great man" title he bestowed upon John McCain.

On Wednesday night, there was no hint of lingering animosity. The two seemed comfortable on stage, with the former president laughing hard at some of Obama's more humorous lines and Obama heaping compliments on the economic golden years of the 1990s.

The healing process between the two Democratic figures actually started several weeks ago. Last month, Clinton revved up his enthusiasm for Obama, during another appearance in Florida, telling the crowd: "[H]e's got a better philosophy. He's got better answers. He's got a better understanding, and better advisers on these complex economic matters. He's got a better vice presidential partner."

At a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania earlier this month, meanwhile, Clinton was equally effusive in his praise:

"Who's got the best ideas? Who's got the best instincts? Who's got the best ability to understand these challenges? Who's got the best supporting cast? The answer is Barack Obama and...that's why I'm here."

Though, to be fair, the relationship has not been strictly one-sided. Obama has also been reaching out to Clinton privately more and more.

According to ABC News, the Senator "called Clinton a couple of times during the financial crisis and consulted with him after President George W. Bush announced that he would have the foreign leaders come to deal with the financial crisis after the election."

Comments

[berrycooda]

So, they were in kiss a me and made up.

I watched B. Clinton's face while B. Obama was making his speech.

Looked like he was thinking that Hillary should have been the one making the speech.

Same old thing.....all politics...all the time...save face...
Old song...smile tho your heart is aching....
Did anybody think that they wouldn't be on speaking terms....This means a nice job for Bill and Hillary.
and Colin Powell, who jumped the fence last week.

[Nonpartay]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/the-top-ten-rea.html?icid=200100397x1212463942x1200744706
In line with this video, this just came out, too. :)

[Snwbnny9]

I love watching Bill Clinton speak.
He's such a brilliant man but he knows how to speak to people in a way that they understand without making people feel that he is talking down to them.

[jhw22]

‘Twas the night of elections
And all through the town
Excitement was blaring
The Maverick went down!

I, in my pj’s
My son on my lap
Saddened there’d been days
They wouldn’t vote for a black.

When all of a sudden
There arose such a sound
I peered out my window
And heard shouts of hope all around.

Men and women,
Young and old
Were thrilled with leadership
Who’d heard what they told.

He listened to concerns
He spoke to even more
He reached out to yearns
And gave answers to adore.

He then rallied those weary
Who were tired from the fight
Promising those who were leery
He was nothing to spite.

'On soldiers,
On vets,
On middle-class
in frets,’

He shouted from rooftops
And as he flew out of sight
'I’ll fight for underdogs
We can stand up and fight!’

(So I leave you to think
On this one final note
If you screwed us with Bush
Then give Obama your vote!)

Jennifer

[MrPastel]

Check it out! McNicknames.
Got any more?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfsKtV_YWdg

[cruisepuppy7452a]

I have had the rare luck to meet Bill Clinton, to thank himfor his many years serving the public. Bill is a really good guy folks, Obamma saw that, saw the brains behind the man, knew that a smart man goes above ego, and asks for help. Bill and Hillary obliged. Now, some might see that as grand standing, but I call that a future president putting the people first over his own ego. What you saw last night, was 2 great minds coming together for a better good for all of us. It went beyond politics, both men see need in this country. They see a longing for prosperity, placing us first, and corruption, never. Bill, once again, thank you for your generousity. You proved to me and to the American people, you still care about us, and care about Barack. Thank you.

[DinSea]

I respect Barack Obama's style, his strategies & tactics, including his treatment of Clintons. Ever the uniter, Obama has managed to gingerly skip over the endless fireballs on his path from Chicago to DC, Clintons providing the dragon's share of fire. Obama is smart to keep all advisory channels open. Clintons have good minds. They can be useful. Obama surrounds himself with brilliance.

*CLINTONS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED* ... and Obama knows it. They serve only themselves, and if the country happens to benefit in the process, that's great - more credit for themselves. See how that works?

I believe Obama will allow brilliance (creative intellect) to thrive and repair this country. At the same time, because of Obama's solid morals & ethics, I do not believe Barack will misplace his trust in a-moral and immoral people like Bill Clinton. He will use his brain but avoid involving Bill in anything that represents ethics or values.

This rally was a fantastic mutual mane-stroking event. Obama gave Bill Clinton the gift of experiencing the rush of his historical record-shattering audiences, and the possibility for redemption. He allows Clinton to be a part of the Obama historical legacy - which will be studied and revered for generations to come. Never have I witnessed such an outstanding, innovative campaign, or uplifting politician as Barack Obama. He has already changed much of the political landscape forever.

Obama's administration offers the possibility of redemption for fallen politicians around the world.

[RODERICK098]

As much as I like Obama his campaign claimed that Clinton was rascist and that was a pretty low blow. It was low for his campaign as well as for the press covering the Clintons.

[helenwheels]

When was this?

[Janel]

I watched the rally and thought former President Clinton's speech was okay. It didn't inspire me, nor did he as he sat there rather long-faced, I thought, when Obama delivered his remarks.

Okay. . .it is good that Clinton finally is coming to the front, but frankly, he doesn't inspire me much!

[aaronsanders]

It should be noteworthy to people that the man who had a presidency with a quite prosperous economy (Clinton) is endorsing Obama, a man who we need to get out of economic depression...

http://www.votesmarter2008.com

(The producers of this series are trying to make these videos go viral - please forward them to others and/or comment/rate them! They're a great educational tool!)

[JeanPaulSatire]

Excerpt from a David Sedaris piece:

I don"t know that it was always this way, but, for as long as I can remember, just as we move into the final weeks of the Presidential campaign the focus shifts to the undecided voters. "Who are they?" the news anchors ask. "And how might they determine the outcome of this election?"

Then you"ll see this man or woman" someone, I always think, who looks very happy to be on TV. "Well, Charlie," they say, "I"ve gone back and forth on the issues and whatnot, but I just can"t seem to make up my mind!" Some insist that there"s very little difference between candidate A and candidate B. Others claim that they"re with A on defense and health care but are leaning toward B when it comes to the economy.

I look at these people and can"t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?

...Think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. "Can I interest you in the chicken?" she asks. "Or would you prefer the platter of sh*t with bits of broken glass in it?"

To be undecided in this election is to pause ... and then ask how the chicken is cooked.

www.newyorker.com/humor/2008/10/27/081027sh_shouts_sedaris

[Clarabell]

There was a group of undecideds in a two hour special the other night, on C S PAN.(They were from Ohio and supposedly like "us.") and there was one who had been a legal secretary for 22 years, had voted Democratic for the last 40 years, but decided then and there that she was leaning towards Mc Nutz. The pollster kept pushing her about her decision and she finally said "It's just something inside of me..." They were a bunch of numb-nutz, and a good example of what's wrong with this country.

[helenwheels]

Sounds to me like that woman was r-a-c-i-s-t

No other explanation.

Personally, I can't stand these people. If you don't know the issues/candidates by now you aren't reading, watching the news or paying attention. Jeez.

[Vasey]

I Have It On Good Authority That God Has Endorsed Barak Obama

[Catfish1968]

You mean, Stephen Colbert?

[PeaceOnEarth62]

O I love me some Bill Clinton.

[chipmarch]

Bill Clinton just about fell on the floor last night when Obama delivered his "I shared my peanut butter sandwich" line.
It was a beautiful moment. watch here: http://www.lnxtrack.com/d8Jr287ug

[bmwracer]

Bill sure did wait long enough to show his face... Hmph.

He needs to get over the fact that Hillary got bumped.

[Ivar]

bmwracer..­..........­. If you looked through a plate glass window at a beautiful sunset, you would see a flyspec in the corner and focus on it. Dems.......COME TOGETHER!!

[RODERICK098]

Bill Clinton has campaigned for Obama on 30 different occasions and Hilary more than 70, Bill could have done more but he is also working on his charity inniatives in Africa etc, Be accurate in your attacks on Mr. Clinton rather just saying something nasty becaues you do not like the man. Why anyone but a corrupt politician would not like Bill or Hillary Clinton is beyond me.

[SilentShout]

It's so good to see and hear Bill again, the first person I ever voted for. Takes me back to my teenage years. I have had sympathy throughout this campaign for Pres. Clinton. I think he has had a really hard time getting over that rough primary. In a way I think it's a touching example of how much he really loves and respects Hillary. It's a lot easier to forgive someone for hurting you than for hurting someone you love. It's not rational. It's primal. I'm so glad the Clinton's are doing their duty to their country. At heart they are true patriots.

[ryanpage]

i think i'm already feeling the change