At Last Minute, Obama Makes Pitch To Help Clear Clinton Debt

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

(NEW YORK) Barack Obama made his way to New York City tonight, with Hillary Clinton and Caroline Kennedy by his side. The three were heading to fund-raisers for Obama, and in part, for Clinton. The goal of the evening was to gather contributions for Clinton's primary debt, but Obama almost forgot to ask for donations for his former opponent.

After delivering a 30-minute speech where he praised Clinton and jabbed at John McCain, Obama left the stage without mentioning Clinton's debt. As the music began to play, Obama rushed back to the stage. "Hold on a second guys, I was getting all carried away," he said as the crowd laughed.

"Senator Clinton still has some debt. And I could have had some debt if I hadn't won so I know the drill," he said as he called on his supporters to contribute. "You know, that is part of the process of making sure that we are unified moving forward."

Supporters found pledge forms under their seats asking for donations for Clinton's "Debt Retirement". The form had a "Hillary for President" logo on it. The maximum contribution is $2,300/individual and $4,600/couple.

Obama and Clinton will appear together at a fund-raiser later tonight, as well as one tomorrow morning.

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by pjones501 July 11, 2008 12:45 AM EDT: You people here are pretty stupid. Don''t you see that a deal was made? If you don''t come through with your end of the bargain, Hillary and her supporters won''t come through with theirs. So get on the stick and do it right or lose it all. You act like a bunch of stupid amatures who know nothing about politics.; Reply to this comment


by allmymarbles July 10, 2008 10:47 PM EDT: Furthermore, why is it that Clinton''s supporters, who are presumably besotted with her, pay off her debt?; Reply to this comment


by allmymarbles July 10, 2008 10:42 PM EDT: The donors'' envelopes had "Hillary for President" printed on them. Would any sane Obama supporter contribute? Is Clinton planning some stunt for the convention? Is she still hoping something will happen to Obama before then? Did the problem with his airplane renew her ambitions? I don''t like that woman.; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 3:45 PM EDT: Of course he is Liberal. Bill Clinton was a liberal until he competed for the general election and then when he got elected he was FORCED back to the left- This is esactly what they will do to Obama- and then like Bill, Obama will say ''I don''t know who I am!" No One knows who he is, including himself. This is a LEADER??; Reply to this comment


by tcart2 July 10, 2008 2:01 PM EDT: ITs a joke, even if you were a Hillary supporter, it is a disgrace to support OBAMA ! This make has flip flopped on everything. I do not see him as a leader of this country!; Reply to this comment


by eroosevelt08 July 10, 2008 1:54 PM EDT: Senator Obama! That is no way to treat this Lady!; Reply to this comment


by drputt45 July 10, 2008 12:54 PM EDT: What! I can only send a max of $4,600? With the gas prices and home foreclosure rate, how is she going to get by on that? I suspect there are a few ''fundraisers'' out there that will help with a bit more.; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 11:41 AM EDT: So what is the case for McCain?

No candidate for President since Wendell Wilkie in 1940 has had as little relevant experience before running for President as Barack Obama. The Illinois Senator served for 8 years, in a generally undistinguished fashion, in the Illinois legislature. He was best known for voting present more often than any other State Senator. When the Democrats took over the Legislature the last two years he served, Obama worked out a deal with the Democratic leader, Emil Jones, to get his name on some bills so he could buff up his resume before running for the open US Senate seat.

In the US Senate, Obama missed many votes in his first term even before he launched his Presidential bid, as he traveled the country speaking to Democratic Party events (and positioning himself with activists for a future Presidential run). Since the campaign began, he has missed virtually all Senate votes and failed to hold meetings of his own subcommittee. So the Obama record is very thin.

His major campaign themes have been lofty messages of change and hope and bipartisan unity. This is a smart course to take, when you have little to show for your years in public office. McCain needs to focus on Obama''''s record of scant legislative accomplishment and inexperience. What has Barack Obama done, as opposed to claiming to have done?; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 10:51 AM EDT: This biased support of a person who has flip flopped and is being excused for doing so is hypocritical when spoken in terms of adjusting his frame of reference according to the times and then not accepting McCains changes as well. It is so obvious and evident the propaganda for this unqualified Democrat just because of the unpopularity of Bush and not because MCCain is actually more experianced and less embarressing as a leader of a nation. People are not that stupid that they can see through the manipulation, media. The general election will prove that after we see more crazy flip flops from the only candidate who is not credible. Obama should accept that he is wrong for the USA and get off the pedastal that does not suit him.; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 July 10, 2008 10:26 AM EDT: He is almost at the point now where he is laughable. Time will do that to someone who loooks so foolish.; Reply to this comment