A Unified Front For Obama, Clinton

Former Democratic Rivals Appear Together At Rally In New Hampshire

(CBS/AP)  Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Friday to turn the page on their bitter, history-making fight for the Democratic presidential nomination, declaring the next chapter is about beating Republican John McCain.

Choosing a small New Hampshire community aptly named Unity for their first joint appearance since the campaign ended, Obama and Clinton stood on a platform before thousands of cheering, shouting supporters and took turns praising each other and urging party solidarity. She called the nominee-in-waiting a standup guy and he declared: "She rocks. She rocks."

They came together in this hamlet where each won 107 votes in January's primary. Body language rivaled campaign rhetoric as attention-getter of the day. And a pair rendered distant by a marathon campaign acted like teammates, alternately exhorting the rank-and-file to put any recriminations behind them.

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More Coverage From Unity, N.H.:
Clinton Backers Try To Look Past Concerns
Horserace Blog: Two Clinton Voters On Why They’re Not On Board With Obama
Video: Clinton, Obama Head To Unity
Unity Prepares For Obama And Clinton

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Clinton noted that they had stood "toe to toe" against each other in a primary season fight that began almost two years ago and declared the time has come to "stand shoulder to shoulder" against the GOP. They seemed equally determined to regain a White House that their party hasn't seen since her husband, President Clinton, left at the start of 2001.

"To anyone who voted for me and is now considering not voting or voting for Sen. (John) McCain, I strongly urge you to reconsider," said Clinton, beseeching her supporters to join with Obama's "to create an unstoppable force for change we can all believe in."

In turn, Obama praised both Clinton and her husband as allies and pillars of the Democratic Party.

"We need them. We need them badly," Obama said. "Not just my campaign, but the American people need their service and their vision and their wisdom in the months and years to come because that's how we're going to bring about unity in the Democratic Party. And that's how we're going to bring about unity in America."

Moments earlier, the two snaked their way through some 6,000 people who gathered in a wide-open field and overflowed some bleacher seats in this town of 1,700.

Obama is seeking to become the country's first black president; Clinton had sought to become the first woman to win the White House.

The reunification of these campaign rivals wasn't without its awkward moments.

Despite the praise and smiles between the two, some in the crowd still sensed a space between them. Their embraces were slightly awkward, and Clinton stood with her hands clasped formally in front of her as Obama spoke.

Most of the former Clinton supporters asked said they would support the presumptive Democratic nominee - even if they have reservations, reports CBSNews.com's Brian Montopoli. (Read more reaction from the scene of the rally.)

“Would I prefer Hillary?” said Aimee Caruso, an editor from Lebanon. “Yes, but I’d be just as excited in a sense to see Obama.” She said that she had come to see “how two people who battled, who danced a little bit, come together,” and added that she took solace in the fact that Clinton would likely work with Obama if he became elected.

”It’s always a team effort, right?,” said Caruso.

But not everyone said they would support Obama, reports Montopoli. “I’m not supporting Obama,” said Wendy Thomas, small business owner. “I don’t think he’s vetted. I don’t think he’s experienced enough.”

Aides said the atmosphere on the bus from the airport to the rally was "festive," but said the two avoided talking about the campaign for the 90-minute ride. As they and their staffs ate a lunch of sandwiches and salads, Obama and Clinton made small talk, at one point commiserating and comparing stories about how difficult it is to live life under a microscope, as public figures do.

Friday's joint appearance capped a turbulent Democratic primary season and tense post-race transition as the two went from foes to friends - at least publicly. This was the most visible event in a series of gestures the two senators have made over the past week to heal the hard feelings - between themselves as well as among their backers.

"Unity is not only a beautiful place as we can see, it's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? And I know when we start here in this field in Unity, we'll end on the steps of the Capitol when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as our next president," Clinton said from a podium as Obama sat next to her on a stool, coatless with his white shirt sleeves rolled up. She wore a powder blue pantsuit; he wore a light blue tie.

Wasting little time pressing Obama's case, Clinton noted that McCain and the GOP probably hoped she wouldn't join forces with Obama.

"But I've got news for them: We are one party; we are one America, and we are not going to rest until we take back our country and put it once again on the path to peace, prosperity and progress in the 21st century," Clinton said to cheers.

Echoing Obama's pitch, Clinton said McCain offered nothing more than a continuation of President Bush's policies.

"In the end, Sen. McCain and President Bush are like two sides of the same coin, and it doesn't amount to a whole lot of change," Clinton said. "If you think we need a new course, a new agenda, then vote for Barack Obama and you will get the change that you need and deserve."

"I've admired her as a leader, I've learned from her as a candidate. She rocks. She rocks. That's the point I'm trying to make," Obama added, responding to cheers from the crowd. "I know firsthand how good she is, how tough she is, how passionate she is, how committed she is the causes that brought all of us here today."

[acolton1]

EVERYBODY READ THIS:

The prolonged Democratic primary race had all the twists and turns of a Hollywood thriller, and at least one A-list actor is ready to portray Barack Obama on the big screen.

Speaking with MTV earlier this week, actor Will Smith said he''d enjoy playing the Illinois senator in an upcoming movie and noted the two share at least one feature in common: rather large ears.

"It''s all right here," Smith joked as he pointed to his ears. "That''s the key. That''s the key. America loves ears, you know? Mickey Mouse started it; Goofy and Dumbo followed behind. And America just loves ears."

Earlier this year, Obama said he and Smith had discussed the possibility.

[jack3213]

Clinton has quite the EGO- She thinks it is because of her and her status and so called experiance that women need to address more self serving respectable jobs- & issues- Clinton further states /implies that women deserve respect- WELL- so do MEN BUT we all have to earn it- NO- I cannot give her credit for anything- or reccommend her for advice-- she has some nerve to make people feel like it is because of her accomplishments- WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS???! Clinton will fade away once Obama loses and that is just fine with me, both of them, Obama & Clinton have some AUDACITY! Women don''''t need HILLARY CLINTON to help them in any way- Why she needs Obama''s help is beyond me. If she really was Independant and experianced why ask someone else to help pay your debts. ALL LIES..Obama is the next BUSH.

[jack3213]

Clinton has quite the EGO- She thinks it is because of her and her status and so called experiance that women need to address more self serving respectable jobs- & issues- Clinton further states /implies that women deserve respect- WELL- so do MEN BUT we all have to earn it- NO- I cannot give her credit for anything- or reccommend her for advice-- she has some nerve to make people feel like it is because of her accomplishments that women should succeed in life-- ) ( of course they should but you need to prove that you DID SOMETHING.. WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS HAS CLINTON SUCCEEDED AT???! Clinton will fade away once Obama loses and that is just fine with me, both of them, Obama & Clinton have some AUDACITY! Women don''t need HILLARY CLINTON to help them in any way- Why she needs Obama''''s help is beyond me. If she really was Independant and experianced why ask anyone else to help pay your debts. ALL LIES..Obama is the next BUSH.

[whatithink-2009]

"Earlier this year, Obama said he and Smith had discussed the possibility.




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Posted by acolton1 "



Must be the ears. LOL.

[ciitzenusa]

Nice photo. She wants some of that wild Mandingo Love!!!

[one-american]

Obama/Clinton motto:

"We would do or say absolutely ANYTHING to take back the White House! Vote for us!"

[citizenusa-2009]

The views and opinions of "CiitizenUSA" are not endorsed by CitizenUSA!

[notblue]

I guess now that they are holding hands everything they said about each other over the last few months was just lies to get the nomination. LOL! The 67 percenters have convenient and neccessary memory loss.

[one-american]

Nice that Obama has so warmly embraced the ultimate Washington insiders, Bill and Hillary Clingon.

Guess he was just kidding about the "change" thing...

[vietnam21]

oH YE, HAVE YOU SEE BEHIND THE SCENCE, THEY ARE LIKE DOG AND CAT.

[one-american]

"I guess now that they are holding hands everything they said about each other over the last few months was just lies to get the nomination. LOL! The 67 percenters have convenient and neccessary memory loss."


Posted by notblue at 12:58 PM : Jun 27, 2008


I believe it is called "selective amnesia".

[vietnam21]

Change we can count on.
priority 1; legal GA* right.

[texanforlogi]

Hooray! We MUST get the republicans out of the White House.

[luvny-2009]

I would LOVE to see them run as a team!

[fstop100]

well we know we can''t trust these 2.
i wonder what went on behind closed doors.
I think hillary had a big smile on her face.

[haoli25]

I can just feel the love!
lol

[notblue]

The critisism and soundbites these two spewed at each other opver the last few months is typical of the modern Democratic party and these same negatives will be heard again this fall thanks to these two politicians. This time it was the Democrats election to lose in 08 and once again they managed to do just that.

[cold777]

LET''S PARTY!!!!

[cold777]

notblue: Another amnesia attack? I forgive you....

[megamanx1-2009]

Aww how cute. They are even wearing matching colors!

blue tie and blue pants suit!!

[antoniof123]

Good going both of you.

[lorinkundert]

Obama will certainly succeed in unifying all conservatives against him if Hillary is in any way connected to his campaign. And how long will Obama survive with the Clinton''s close by? many Clinton friends and associates are prone to suicide and accidents.

[cold777]

Obama/Hagel 08!

[nanc12]

I think McSame and his campaign must be very nervous watching this unfold. Hillary was undone by an incompetently managed campaign. Obama has the most unbelievably organized campaign ever. They go to Unity, NH, a place that split their votes evenly between the two candidates. That''s pure genius.

[one-american]

Everybody sing!

"Ebony and Ivory,
we''re together in perfect
Harmony
side by side on my piano
keyboard
oh, lord
why can''t we!"

Funny little Democrats.

They''re panderific!

[guadalcanal3]

SHURCH4TRUTH....IF YOU THINK THAT OIL PRICES AND GAS AND THE ECONOMY IS BUSH''S FAULT...JUST WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT PRESIDENT IS IN OFFICE...3 YEARS FROM NOW WHEN GAS PRICES TRIPLE...ARE YOU GOING TO STILL BE BLAMINING BUSH?...OIL AND GAS PRICES ARE GOING UP NO MATTER WHO IS IN THE OVAL OFFICE...THE WORLD IS RUNNING OUT OF OIL...GET USED TO IT!...PERIOD.

[navyjimfl]

I''m concerned Osama Obama is a friend to Islam at the very least and a plant at worst....our worst nightmare if he becomes President....

[fstop100]

I thought Hillary was gay?

[rowdywicca]

I think McSame and his campaign must be very nervous watching this unfold. Hillary was undone by an incompetently managed campaign. Obama has the most unbelievably organized campaign ever. They go to Unity, NH, a place that split their votes evenly between the two candidates. That''''s pure genius.


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Posted by nanc12 at 01:27 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Yeah, I gotta tell ya, he''s got the best racist intimidation, corrupt, blackmailing campaign shill going in the US, that''s for damned sure!

[samthetvcat]

I''ve just seen a bit of the live stream, missed the entrance and everything - it looks a little awkward, but I guess it''s a good first step.

I hope we can mend all the bad feelings on both sides and come together united as Democrats :)

PS Oh, Hillary finally badmouthed McLame - go Hillary! :D

[rowdywicca]

I''''m concerned Osama Obama is a friend to Islam at the very least and a plant at worst....our worst nightmare if he becomes President....


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Posted by navyjimfl at 01:35 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Bingo!

[rowdywicca]

I''''ve just seen a bit of the live stream, missed the entrance and everything - it looks a little awkward, but I guess it''''s a good first step.

I hope we can mend all the bad feelings on both sides and come together united as Democrats :)

PS Oh, Hillary finally badmouthed McLame - go Hillary! :D


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Posted by SamTheTVCat at 01:37 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Again, why would you want to UNIFY with a corrupt shill you didn''t support in the first place?

[notblue]

ShURCH4TRUTH, you are typical of the BLAME AMERICA LIB, nice list! Do you think radicals Islam and natural disasters have any responsibility regarding "your list", or in your simplistic hate-filled world is just one American to blame. What were the illustrious, all perfect, ultra intelligent Dems doing the last eight years? Did the ignorant, hated Bush, fool all of them, did he have them locked away in Yuca Mountain? just curious.

[ponco seno]

Everybody sing!

"Ebony and Ivory,
we''''re together in perfect
Harmony
side by side on my piano
keyboard
oh, lord
why can''''t we!"

Funny little Democrats.

They''''re panderific!



Posted by One-American at 01:28 PM : Jun 27, 2008



You must be a Republicano.. Probably in the age range of 65 to 75 - out of touch with yourself and the world. WELL! we had enough of you old folks, is evident that you can''t run a country, what better evidence that the last 8 years. The republicon had 8 years to prove they knew their stuff. Instead, they screwed the system and whacked the country like any other adminstration has done before, being an independet, I am voting democrat in NOV.

You can keep your McBush - wasting money and time. there is no way he will win in NOV, unless your corrupt party steals the elections.

[nanc12]

I think McSame and his campaign must be very nervous watching this unfold. Hillary was undone by an incompetently managed campaign. Obama has the most unbelievably organized campaign ever. They go to Unity, NH, a place that split their votes evenly between the two candidates. That''''''''s pure genius. Posted by nanc12 at 01:27 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Yeah, I gotta tell ya, he''''s got the best racist intimidation, corrupt, blackmailing campaign shill going in the US, that''''s for damned sure!
Posted by RowdyWicca

LOL - judging by this response, I''ll take back ''very nervous'' and insert ''shi**ing in their pants.''

[samthetvcat]

---"Again, why would you want to UNIFY with a corrupt shill you didn''t support in the first place?"---
Posted by RowdyWicca

Because I''m not a bitter self-destructive hag without the capacity to think about what best benefits society . . .

[vietnam21]

I feel the love in the air

[navyjimfl]

A bigger surprise is that a you actually belive you have the mental capacity to think Posted by Nelson5715

don''t bury your head in the sand Nelson....you must be concerned for the future of this country

[jack3213]

UNIFIED FRONT? You mean "UNIFIED FACADE"
They will do, say, and be anything to gain your support- Yes, keep believing in CHANGE and watch the change in your pocket disappear with high taxes.

[dragonmouse-2009]

$20 Million could be better put to use somewhere else than paying off a campaign debt. I figure it''s HER debt it''s HER debt it''s HER problem. Nobody''s paying off MY debts.

The debt is RIDICULOUS. People can afford to donate to that but then they turn around and complain about gas prices???

[singingrick]

The time for change has come. Send McBush and all of his lobbyist friends and religious fanatic supporters packing.

[dudeky]

I THINK THIS UNITY PLACE IS A FARCE......NO WAY THEY ARE COMING TOGETHER.....SO FAKE.....SHE NEEDS TO KEEP IN THE PUBLIC EYE SO SHE CAN GET THIS WRAPPED UP IN THE CONVENTION......HE WILL NEVER MAKE IT...IT IS LIKE KING SAID " I HAVE A DREAM " SO DOES OBAMA AND IT IS ALMOST TIME FOR HIM TO WAKE-UP.....

[walt1944-2009]

Having issued a "donation" to the Hilliary Clinton campaign debt, Clinton has now agreed to appear in public with Barack Obama as a jesture of party unity.

Of course, there are many in the USSA who are hoping for similar "donations" to help them out with their debts as well, but for that, we will all have to rely on the "unbounded charity" of the Great Emperor Bush II and his advisors within his neocon Fascist Nazi court.

Of course, as has been already reported, the Great Emperor may already be working on his next economic "stimulus" should corporate profits begin to fall and share holders become nervous about their holdings. Perhaps he can convince the Chinese to fund another loan!

SIG HEIL, BUSH!!!!
sig heil, DEFINITELY MORE OF THE SAME, McCain!!!!

[ddaryl1]

It''s good to see hillary back donw from her self pride and make attempts ot bring the democratic party together.

but anyone with a brain knows this country can not handle anymore republican presidents... and from my past experience in life this country can not afford to allow republicans to ever gain contorl of any part of government again.

If anythign we need a party more dedicated to the middle of road politics most of us really want to see, but the lesser of 2 evils by a HUGE FAR MARGIN is democrats... Republicans are really evil in my view. I have stood my ground and refuse to associate with anyone who even considers republicans as a viable political party..

The republican party needs to be punished by the americans, and they need it to hurt otherwise they will try the same *** on us again. They do not care about the lower and middle claases, and have demonstrated that all too well.

[nanc12]

I''ll just debunk McVet- lies one by one. Of course, since he already stole McVet''s name by adding a hyphen to it, we already know he''s a jerk.

1. Ceased to advertise quote: From Snopes - http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp

When people who don%u2019t know me well, black or white, discover my background (and it is usually a discovery, for I ceased to advertise my mother%u2019s race at the age of twelve or thirteen, when I began to suspect I was ingratiating myself to whites), I see the split-second adjustments they have to make.

So, he didn%u2019t go around saying, %u2018My mother is white, please like me.%u2019 He wanted people to accept him as he was. Not a bad thing.

[jack3213]

SO when is the first debate alreaqdy?? between MCCAIN & OBAMA? Isn''t that what counts..not this Clinton (UNITY) masquerade pile of BS

[nanc12]

#2 MCVet- lie from Dreams from My Father solace comment:

Again, Snopes researched it:
No such sentence (nor anything close to it) appears anywhere in either Dreams from My Father or The Audacity of Hope.

They come from an article written about Obama in the conservative rag, The American Conservative.

[callistemon-2009]

yeah, unity my you know what. she still has her delegates, doesn''t she? heh.

[texanforlogi]

"But I''ve got news for them: We are one party, we are one America and we are not going to rest until we take back our country and put it once again on the path to peace, prosperity and progress in the 21st century," Clinton said to cheers.

She addressed any of her backers who are considering not voting or voting for McCain instead of Obama: "I strongly urge you to reconsider."
___________________________________

Good for you Hillary! I admit that I never really thought this would happen but I am so delighted to be wrong. We MUST take the White House from the republicans.
This is a good day for America!

[rowdywicca]

So, he didn%u2019t go around saying, %u2018My mother is white, please like me.%u2019 He wanted people to accept him as he was. Not a bad thing.


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Posted by nanc12 at 02:06 PM : Jun 27, 2008

So he just tried to re=invent himself as a teenager, just like he does now...

Strange, isn''t it...how his screwed up mind created all these problems for his identity crisis that are still running around in a supposedly adult head!