Clinton Hints at Clinton-Obama Ticket, Again

From CBS News' Fernando Suarez:

HATTIESBURG, MISS. -- During a campaign rally, Hillary Clinton told the crowd that the upcoming Mississippi primary is “contested” and that their votes will count in choosing the next president, but she recognized that the choice between her and Obama is not easy for some.

“You’ve gotta make a choice. A lot of people wish they didn’t have to. I’ve got people saying, ‘I wish I could vote for both of you.’ Well, that might be possible someday, but first I need your vote on Tuesday!”

Clinton spoke before a crowd of around 600 people in a state where the former First Lady admits will be a difficult win for her.

“This is a contested primary and it is exciting. You know, Mississippi’s votes are going to count. I know that I may have an uphill battle here in this state, I appreciate that. Some people said, ‘why did you even come?’…I said, ‘I’ll tell you why I’m going to go to Mississippi to know that I’m for them, that I will work for you.’”

Clinton’s decision to campaign in Mississippi is best summed up by a senior campaign aide who said Clinton will campaign in as many states as possible in order “to pick up her share of delegates.”

Following the event, Clinton held a press conference where she addressed comments made by an Obama adviser, Samantha Power, who resigned today after calling Clinton "a monster” during a newspaper interview.

“I think Senator Obama did the right thing, but I think that it is important to look at what she and his other advisers say behind closed doors particularly when they are talking to foreign governments and foreign press. It raises disturbing questions about what the real planning and policy positions within the Obama campaign happen to be.” Clinton was referring to comments Power made a few months ago that discredited any Iraq exit plan because of the high potential of having to change that plan.

Clinton was also pressed on comments her communications director Howard Wolfson made where he likened the Obama campaign to former Whitewater independent counsel Ken Starr. Initially Clinton backed away from the comment, but when pressed by a reporter, she admitted the comment held some validity.

“I am very focused on this campaign and you know, you’ve made the comparison between those two," she said. When a reporter pointed out that her spokesman actually made the comparison she said, "Well, I think that one is and ad hominem attack and the other is a historical reference."

The reporter countered, "But he said that 'I don’t know how anyone who can imitate Ken Starr can win the Democratic presidential nomination.'"

"Well, I think that is a true statement,” Clinton responded.