Barack-Hillary "Unity Tour" Starts Friday In Unity, NH

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton kick start their official "Unity Tour" descending upon the tiny rural village of Unity, New Hampshire (pop. 1530), this Friday and State Rep. John Cloutier (D-Claremont) gave OffTheBus an exclusive interview, saying "I think it's just great! They [Obama and Clinton] split the vote evenly in Unity during the primary -- each got 107 votes -- so it makes perfect sense that they'll come back to Unity, and I'm honored just to have them both come to my county."

Revisiting important states during the hard-fought primary campaign with Mrs. Clinton, who narrowly won the New Hampshire primary, the presumptive nominee is now turning his attention toward bringing Sen. Clinton's stalwart supporters -- women and working class white voters -- into the fold by campaigning with Sen. Clinton at his side. He is also making speeches during campaign stops this week aimed at proving his credentials as a presidential candidate who understands and cares about the working-class voters that are so crucial to a Democratic win in the general election.

Rep. Cloutier said that Mrs. Clinton remains a popular and powerful figure in his state, where voters fondly remember former President Bill Clinton. Clinton's support of Sen. Obama is critical, he said, to bringing the Granite State's four electoral votes into the blue column this November.

"It's important that the Democrats work New Hampshire because Sen. McCain is very well thought of here. But, with concerns over the Iraq War, high gas prices and worrying about how we're going to heat our homes next winter with the high cost of oil, this should be a Democratic year and we are trending blue. We won a majority in the state house and senate in 2006 and that's the first time that has happened in 80 years."

According to Cloutier, Sen. Obama has a better-than-average chance of winning New Hampshire in the fall if Sen. Clinton is successful in bringing her loyalist to the Obama team.

This is already happening, if you believe the latest American Research Group, Inc. poll [June 18, 2008], which found Obama leading McCain 89 percent to 5 percent among Democrats (31% of likely voters), while McCain leads Obama 74 percent to 10 percent among Republicans (31% of likely voters). The big swing group in the Granite State, however, remains Independents (38% of likely voters), and they favored Obama 53 percent to 38 percent for McCain.

Even though the primary season is over, Coultier reminded Democrats that small states like Iowa and New Hampshire are still important.

"If Al Gore would have carried New Hampshire in 2000, he wouldn't have needed to win Florida," said Coultier.

Comments

[NewtC]

I’m an Obama supporter. I donated to his campaign and hoped we’d win in a landslide this fall.

Now it’s clear to me that we desparately need the other half of the Democrats that voted for Hillary. Especially since Obama is caving on FISA, he’s going to lose netroots and liberals that thought he’d protect the Constitution. His compromise­/capitulat­ion on FISA is even loses Independents and conservatives because FISA guts the Fourth Amendment.

We need Hillary supporters. HuffPo reports polls showing Obama ahead of McSame, but Gallup consistently show the race is very close. Add that to GOP swiftboating and a possible September surprise (dumping McCain for some young white military leader, with Condi Rice to get the AA and womens’ vote) and we’re looking at a tight race or big loss in November.

The only way many Hillary supporters will vote for Obama is if Hillary is given a platform from which to work on their (and our) issues, like FISA and healthcare. Given Sen Reid’s inability to stop FISA, I suggest Dems start demanding our senators agree to give Hillary the Senate Majority Leader job that Reid is failing in.


That’s the only sure way to ensure her supporters vote for Obama. If Hillary, who got 50% of our party’s votes, is given a strong Senate platform, we’ll achieve unity while we work for both Obama and Hillary. Diversity amongst common goals is the history of our party, and it’s also the way to success in 2008.

[NewtC]

I’m an Obama supporter. I donated to his campaign and hoped we’d win in a landslide this fall.

Now it’s clear to me that we desparately need the other half of the Democrats that voted for Hillary. Especially since Obama is caving on FISA, he’s going to lose netroots and liberals that thought he’d protect the Constitution. His compromise­/capitulat­ion on FISA is even loses Independents and conservatives because FISA guts the Fourth Amendment.

We need Hillary supporters. HuffPo reports polls showing Obama ahead of McSame, but Gallup consistently show the race is very close. Add that to GOP swiftboating and a possible September surprise (dumping McCain for some young white military leader, with Condi Rice to get the AA and womens’ vote) and we’re looking at a tight race or big loss in November.

The only way many Hillary supporters will vote for Obama is if Hillary is given a platform from which to work on their (and our) issues, like FISA and healthcare. Given Sen Reid’s inability to stop FISA, I suggest Dems start demanding our senators agree to give Hillary the Senate Majority Leader job that Reid is failing in.


That’s the only sure way to ensure her supporters vote for Obama. If Hillary, who got 50% of our party’s votes, is given a strong Senate platform, we’ll achieve unity while we work for both Obama and Hillary. Diversity among common goals is the history of our party, and it’s also the way to success in 2008.

[nonconformist2]

You know all the cable news shows will bring in body language experts and lip readers to interpret every single tiny little gesture or facial expression. I'm tired just thinking about it.

[elevando]

I am sick to my stomach about the way Obama abused Hillary, and how he got the party elders to help. Now they are marching her out like a war criminal to push their propaganda. Just disgusting..

[nonconformist2]

And what exactly did Obama do that "abused" Hillary? Give me specifics. Not the Media, but Obama. Directly. Otherwise this is just base slander.

[doctorwang]

I have no doubt that you are sick to your stomach. However the reason your bowels churn the way they do is because the Democrats ARE unifying, and McCain's chances dwindle as each day goes by. Election day is still months away.......I'd stock up on Alka Seltzer if I were you.

[nonconformist2]

Is that you Rush?

[SanityClaus]

If you haven't already maxed out in donations to H, then you're responsible for her current situation. Put up $2300 and shut up until you do.

[exmun]

What a crock. I've heard this so many times I think that I'm going to puke. Tell me THREE things that Obama, himself, did to "abuse" Hillary... wait, tell me TWO things... uhm... how about ONE thing.

[pupbayer]

Just off the top of my head:

1. "You challenge the status quo and suddenly the claws come out," Obama said.

2. "I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she's feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal."

3. Obama saying Hillary is "likable enough" during the NH debate and looking down his nose at her constantly.

[WFV]

I still think this is a mistake. Giving her the national stage again will only bring out all the "what-ifs" and naysayers again, which had taken a break during her hiatus. I still believe her main motivation is her mismanaged campaign debt, and if that is the case, all of her staunch supporters should send her a few bucks to pay it off. I think she and her husband are best left in the past where they belong, so the presumptive nominee can carry on with the business of the general election.

[Raymondf]

Looks like a promise of Attorney General, or Secratary of State.

[N8Ma]

Way to go Hilary. You're doing the right thing here.

[NewHampshire]

OH lord, Unity will be despoiled!

We don't need THREE lousy Democrats campaigning in NH do we?

I suppose if McCain picks Lieberman for his VP, we'll then have FOUR.

Poor NH.... we'll take it back in 08. The Dems have ruined it beyond imagination.

[jvarga]

Surely you're not suggesting that McCain and Lieberman are democrats?

[jupitor]

Hi Fi Hillary! Keeping your promise, will put you back in good standing with the rest of us!