Clinton Calls John Edwards a "Fighter"

By: Fernando Suarez
Topics: Hillary Clinton

(CBS)

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

LEWISTON, MAINE -- During a town hall meeting today, Hillary Clinton opened the floor to questions and a woman, who identified herself as a former supporter of John Edwards, told Clinton she is now supporting her.

The woman said she hopes Clinton will "consider John's policies and his fighting spirit when you get to the White House."

Clinton, who had mentioned Edwards' work on health care in her speech (something she has not done in quite a while), told the woman she and Edwards "have a lot in common." Clinton called Edwards a "fighter" and told the woman, "I will be a fighter and I intend to ask John Edwards to be a part of anything I intend to do in the White House."

Edwards has not formally endorsed any candidate since dropping out late last month. But both Clinton and Barack Obama have said they intend to court his base of supporters - in fact, Obama told reporters he spoke to Edwards a few days ago but wouldn't elaborate on their conversation.

When asked whether Clinton's comments on Edwards were calculated, her campaign denied that the reference to Edwards earlier in her speech was planned.

CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic contributed to this report.

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by jrefo February 10, 2008 8:53 AM EST: ''Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter!; Reply to this comment


by kenshin051 February 9, 2008 11:35 PM EST: plant plant plant plant. planted. plant-a-roony.

stuck in a pot and planted.

so planted, it''ll probably help reduce her carbon input.

suprised she didn''t start crying too.; Reply to this comment


by bdlamb1 February 9, 2008 10:56 PM EST: My wife and her father BTW who are Jewish, think that Hillary''s position is best because it is most protective of Israel. So don''t get me wrong.. I sort of plan to hold my nose and vote Democratic anyway.. despite who I am given.. if I am given Mrs. Clinton to vote for and I''m sorry that I feel this way.. I had Bill''s picture from GQ staring at me from a dresser for the past few months and I remember thinking for a moment there how I wanted to vote for her.. how great it would be to go back to pre-2000. I''m sure I''ll get accused of going to pre-911 thinking here or something but it was nicer back then I think, with not as much war and debt and unemployment. I can''t believe we will impeach over lies about an an affair with a staffer while serious matters of state get ignored or mishandled and impeachment is mysteriously off the table. I guess the flagging forces of good realize a losing battle when they see one but from the way it looks from here it seems they never saw a battle they couldn''t run away from .. only a few left still fighting.. our senator no-shows are busy campaigning. I wonder if John McCain shows up to vote on issues in DC? Hmmm.; Reply to this comment


by bdlamb1 February 9, 2008 10:55 PM EST: I liked someone''s idea of Edwards for Attorney General in ''08. I don''t know about another VP run, not unless whoever is the candidate adopts less centrist positions. Riding the fence in favor of the right is wrong place wrong time for the democrats right now. They will get creamed in the debates.. I think, but who knows.. record turnout of Democratic votes no matter how you look at it I think that is good.. but why do I want to switch parties practically if I have to deal with pro-war Hillary v. pro-war John?; Reply to this comment


by bdlamb1 February 9, 2008 9:38 PM EST: Clinton can''t just mimic Edwards style - it''s her pandering to the right along with Obama that is where they tend to get into trouble with me.. shoot the right wing talk show host and shrieking mimi''s are all coming out saying they are for you - I note at this point that (a) good for John McCain.. not really accepting the corporate funding, etc., there are many issues where the man just makes sense.. too bad the most important one for me (domestic/international peace and security) is a non-starter for him. Do I almost prefer him to Hillary even though I am a lifelong Democrat? They are both super hawkish to me and one of them seems to have more of a clue than the other.. Obama seems clueless on certain key issues.. can he be caught up in time? Seems like he is annoyed at the prospect of yet still more debates.. now I can understand why.. questioning my new found loyalties to him.. Anyway. Thanks for this. =Former Edwards Supporter; Reply to this comment


by l00ker February 9, 2008 8:54 PM EST: Pandering for the Edwards vote it appears.; Reply to this comment


by acebass1 February 9, 2008 8:37 PM EST: Hillary, come one girl, your nose is growing. But the sucking up is nice!

Why chose second best. Edwards Democrate here.; Reply to this comment


by rfield9 February 9, 2008 8:01 PM EST: Fernando -

Obama will say tomorrow on 60 Minutes;
"We''re not going to fabricate things. We''re not going to try to distort or twist her positions."

This is hypocritical. He''s already done it.

- "hit job" on Bill Clinton
- Press release slanting Hill & Bill NH remarks as
anti-Af/American, confirmed by Tim Russert
- "Harry & Louise" mailer twisting Hillary''s health
care proposal

Above are documented at -

http://HitJobMemo.com

Mr. Suarez - followup requested of CBS News

-; Reply to this comment