Clinton Backers Try To Look Past Concerns

CBSNews.com Reports: At Joint Rally In Unity, Most Who Backed Former First Lady Say They Will Vote For Obama

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

---

Wendy Thomas showed up at Friday’s rally in tiny Unity, N.H., wearing a Hillary pin.

And there was a good reason for that.

“I’m not supporting Obama,” the Merrimack small business owner said. “I don’t think he’s vetted. I don’t think he’s experienced enough.”

Malka Yaacobi, a musician from Cambridge, Massachusetts, said that she voted for Clinton in the primaries, and Obama still did not sit right with her.

“I will not say I’ll vote for him,” she said. “ …I don’t trust him and he doesn’t have experience.”

To the relief of Democrats worried that the long primary battle had polarized their party beyond repair, Thomas and Yaacobi appeared to be in the minority among the thousands of people who came out to the afternoon rally outside the Unity Elementary School, the first joint campaign appearance between the two brightest stars in the Democratic party since Hillary Clinton dropped out of the presidential race and threw her support behind Barack Obama.

Most of the former Clinton supporters asked said they would support the presumptive Democratic nominee - even if they have reservations.

“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.

“I’m with him,” said Carol Bramblett, a retired onetime Clinton supporter from Ridge. She said that while she does have “maybe 1 percent reservations” about Obama, she was happy to have a Democratic nominee who “does have an inspirational quality we don’t see in too many politicians.”

Even some supporters of presumptive GOP nominee John McCain had kind words for the Democratic hopeful.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing for the country to have Obama,” said Ilya Mirman, a marketer and McCain supporter from Sudbury, Massachusetts. “I was rooting for him despite that I think he’d be a tougher candidate against the guy I’m supporting. He’s a rock star.”

Shauna White, a pre-school teacher from the town of Dublin, said she supported neither Obama nor Clinton in the primary. But she doesn’t care for McCain, and had come to see if she might be persuaded to support the Illinois senator.

“I’m not 100 percent on board at this time, even though I have very strong reservations about McCain,” she said.

The crowd responded enthusiastically to both candidates, who stood next to each other on stage in matching outfits - Clinton in a baby-blue suit and Obama in a similarly-hued tie. Clinton spoke first, urging anyone who had come to the rally and was considering not backing Obama to reconsider.

“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,'' said Clinton.

She also joked about her sometimes contentious battle with Obama.

“I was proud that we had a spirited dialogue,” the former first lady said, to laughter to the crowd. “That was the nicest way I could think of saying that.”

At one point, an Obama chant rose up during Clinton’s remarks; seemingly in response, a Hillary chant followed.

---

More Coverage From Unity, N.H.:
Obama, Clinton Seek Unity In New Hampshire
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

---

The presumptive nominee opened his remarks with kind words for his formal rival, at one point simply noting, “she rocks.”

”We need them, we need them badly,” Obama said in reference to Clinton and her husband, adding, “that’s how we’re going to bring about unity in the Democratic Party.”

Obama strategist David Axelrod said immediately after the rally that it might take time to bring some Clinton supporters over to his side.

"This has been a titanic struggle for the nomination, there is great passions here evoked on all sides," he said. "It's going to take some time, and some people won't be able to get passed it. I think most will."

Thomas, the Clinton supporter who said she would not support Obama, said she might reconsider if Clinton were added to the ticket.

“That’s the only way that I would definitely say that I might vote for him,” she said.

Peggy Belmonte stood in the back of the crowd holding a homemade sign reading “Obama/Hillary, Perfect Pair.” She shouted “Hillary V.P.!” during Clinton’s speech. But Belmonte said she would support Obama even if he didn’t put Clinton on the ticket.

“I have to,” she said.

And that response may sum up the attitude of most of the former Clinton voters who showed up in Unity, many of whom expressed a strong desire to move on from eight years of Republican leadership.

“I knew I liked Obama enough to go with him,” said Bramblett, who acknowledged that she did have at least a moment of hesitation when Obama became the presumptive nominee. “You just can’t switch buttons that easily, right?”

CBSNews.com political reporter Scott Conroy contributed to this story.

[aldon61]

Posted by MCVet- at 03:32 PM : Jun 27, 2008

I repeat, be an original, call yourself McBigot, you don''t really have to be a copycat.

[michael0004]

The no family values McCain clan continues to have support from their Southern white trash base of inbreds and America haters. After we kicked the pisss out of the Southern White Trash 150 years ago, their offspring of today are still America haters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by neoconism at 03:39 PM : Jun 27, 2008

I am not sure who the "America hater" is here - the subject of the comment or the person who posted the comment. Neoconism, maybe you need to define "America hater" beyond the stereotypical categorization/name calling you employ.

[pepperp1]

PUMA

[pepperp1]

whenever the word HATE is introduced, you can be 100% sure it was injected by an obama supporter. i stand by that 100% ... never fails.... the first time you see HATE, or hatred on any blog... it is first used by someone supporting obama.... now isnt that interesting.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by fenner at 03:54 PM : Jun 27, 2008
+ report abuse



CORRECT Fenner it all the do their haters their anti .......bots




McCain 08

[notopennshut]

I am thankful that I can overcome whatever it was to be able to straighten myself and not remain bitter and vindictive like those other women. Presumably, they have been wronged by someone or other, and now are expressing their bitterness by spewing out all the poison that they harbored throughout their miserable lives. Let them go and support McShame if they so desire - they will not be missed. In fact, these are the very people the democratic party does not need. Bring your poison to people like Coulter and company, you will be greeted with open arms there.

[xyno-2009]

Perhaps the Reagan Dems have finally learned how much damage they did by putting Reagan in office for 8 years, becaues the mans disasterous policies continue to haunt the USA.

Posted by neoconism at 03:29 PM : Jun 27, 2008

==========================

During the 1980s, the United States tackled many of the problems it faced through bipartisan compromises. The government passed a massive tax reform, with Ronald Reagan and Democrat Dan Rostenkowski championing the bill. It revamped Social Security and passed immigration reform, as well as a series of trade deals%u2014all with strong bipartisan support. These policies were crucial in setting the stage for two decades of strong economic growth. The contrast with today is stark. Now Washington can argue about everything and solve nothing. A can-do country has been saddled with a do-nothing political system.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/140465/page/2

[rgrxx175]

in the 80''s you had the iran contra, thanks Reagan

[nanc12]

GO MCCAIN!
Posted by elicatlover

You just about have to do a search to find a John McSame story today, but there is one on Huffington about him making an ''awkward wife-beating joke.'' Add that to his fundraiser saying, ''The weather is like rape, once you know it''s inevitable, just lay back and enjoy it.'' Then you can add him cheating on and dumping his first wife, calling Cindy a ''trollop'' and a ''c*nt''. Now add how he''s against choice and equal pay for women. Have fun voting for the guy, eli.

[texanforlogi]

I am thankful that I can overcome whatever it was to be able to straighten myself and not remain bitter and vindictive like those other women. Presumably, they have been wronged by someone or other, and now are expressing their bitterness by spewing out all the poison that they harbored throughout their miserable lives. Let them go and support McShame if they so desire - they will not be missed. In fact, these are the very people the democratic party does not need. Bring your poison to people like Coulter and company, you will be greeted with open arms there.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by notopennshut at 04:19 PM : Jun 27, 2008


WElCOME ABOARD! We Obama supporters are glad to have you--come November we are going to start making America proud again.
About the bitter and vindictive ones--I have heard speculation that these are women who are miserable in their marriage but won''t leave. Sounds plausible, cause they sure aren''t looking at the issues and platform that Hillary supports.

[xyno-2009]

Hillary Dems for McCain: bitter bible thumping gun toting uneducated Appalachian racists

Posted by neoconism at 04:35 PM : Jun 27, 2008

========================

You''re calling someone else a racist? Pot meet kettle.

[nanc12]

My vote goes to McCain until I hear the Obama campaign apologize for all the libel and slander they slung against Hillary and her followers.
Posted by sincityq

Well, if you can post even one libelous or slanderous thing that Senator Obama or his campaign said, we''ll try to get an apology for you. Post as in give us a link to the statement. I''ll set the timer going now while we wait.

[nanc12]

What state do you live in elicatlover?

[fstop100]

something fishy...she supports obama and he writes her a check....?

[nanc12]

Well, if you can post even one libelous or slanderous thing that Senator Obama or his campaign said, we''''ll try to get an apology for you. Post as in give us a link to the statement. I''''ll set the timer going now while we wait.
Posted by nanc12 at 04:43 PM

10 minutes and counting, lol.

[nanc12]

My vote goes to McCain until I hear the Obama campaign apologize for all the libel and slander they slung against Hillary and her followers.
Posted by sincityq

Well, if you can post even one libelous or slanderous thing that Senator Obama or his campaign said, we''''ll try to get an apology for you. Post as in give us a link to the statement. I''''ll set the timer going now while we wait.
Posted by nanc12

Well, 25 minutes now and still crickets. LOL

neoconism - I don''t take any of the so-called Hillary supporters seriously. The repubs are very scared and desperate now. I just like to rattle their cages.

[nolalou]

From Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Posted by MCVet

You can make any quote taken out of context sound bad. Obama was talking about Muslims who are American citizens feeling discriminated against since 9/11. Here is the full quote:

"In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

[mr2258]

Hillary gave a 22 million dollar speech today.

[frootloop47]

RepubliCains are going to get thumped good come Novemeber.

Barack and Hilary got abut 34 millions votes. Most of Hilary''s vote will go to Barack in November.

McCain got just over 9 million votes.
Poor RepubliCains can''t even get their voter out.

[vastr-wcon]

.
Voters (aka bitter, religious, gun-toting commoners) with IQs greater than their shoe size are not swayed by the meaningless Hope-Change, Change-Hope, Hope-able Change and Change-able Hope BS of "God D*#! America", "Sweetie" hussein. Experience and competence matter.

Democrats don''t learn from their mistakes: they have allowed another Kerry-like shallow, arrogant, platitude-spouting, gas-bag - who is so mentally deficient from extensive drug use he even has to plagiarize his hollow platitudes, and who hijacked the nomination with fewer votes than Hillary received.

One thing is certain: millions of Dems will abandon the party now that it has sunk to the level of the loony left and a pal to Weathermen terrorists . Let the fools enjoy their hollow "victory".

/

[formrusmcsgt]

Let the fools enjoy their hollow "victory".

Posted by VastR-WCon at 05:26 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Too funny.

McFeeble is he who is losing ground in the polls and coming up on the short end of the funding stick, not Obama.

You obviously prefer to portray things as you would wish to see them, rather than as they are.

[formrusmcsgt]

something fishy...she supports obama and he writes her a check....?


Posted by fstop100 at 04:52 PM : Jun 27, 2008

That''s because she''s such a great administrator that she ran her campaign $20 million in the hole.

[rowdywicca]

something fishy...she supports obama and he writes her a check....?


Posted by fstop100 at 04:52 PM : Jun 27, 2008

That''''s because she''''s such a great administrator that she ran her campaign $20 million in the hole.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by formrusmcsgt at 05:40 PM : Jun 27, 2008

Actually, it''s a another campaign shill for Obama. Why didn''t he just give her checks in private instead of doing it in from of thousands of people.

What an insult that arrogant smirk jerk did by parading around his money to buy support!

Talk about ignorant low class.

[rowdywicca]

I guess Obama touting that the people were neglected and not heard during Bill Clinton''s administration should be considered a compliment by the stupid ***, Obama? Right?

[rowdywicca]

I guess Obama touting that the people were neglected and not heard during Bill Clinton''''s administration should be considered a compliment by the stupid ***, Obama? Right?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by RowdyWicca at 05:53 PM : Jun 27, 2008

C''mon Nanc12, which out a Saturday Nite Live Skit on that one!

[phillysage]

If Obama is really serious about unifying us Dems, he''d better do more for us Hillary fans than just use her at a few campaign stops. He''d better put her on the ticket where she belongs. Until then, many of us will not contribute to his campaign, many of us will sit on the sidelines and sulk, some of us will continue to heap our frustration and scorn upon him, and yes, some of us will not even vote Democratic this time. His not putting Hillary on the ticket will just be further proof of his naivete, inexperience and incompetence + insuitability to fill the shoes of President of the US of A.

[von_marko]

Obama short list of where to attend church as President:

1. Anywhere with a smoking area
2. Anywhere with a kick back from the offering plate
3. Anywhere where no one ask him his qualifications to be President

[one-american]

Obama and Clinton have joined their magic power rings together...

...and sold out their supporters.


Democrat voters have been duped yet again, but Obama knows you will vote for him anyway, right?

[chitown639]

Actually, it''''s a another campaign shill for Obama. Why didn''''t he just give her checks in private instead of doing it in from of thousands of people.

What an insult that arrogant smirk jerk did by parading around his money to buy support!

Talk about ignorant low class.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by RowdyWicca

Well, if you had a shred intelligence or a hint of decency you could appreciate that Obama gave Hillary his check to motivate his supporters to also give to the Hillarys cause. I am sure YOU have given the maxinum amount to the cause, since YOU are such a huge Hillary worshipper.

[beastof70]

I''m keeping these words from Sen. Obama solely because in a single paragraph he shows so clearly exactly what you get if you vote for him.
==================

%u201CI have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms,
[[FLIP]]
=========
but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures.
[[FLOP]]
=========
The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe.%u201D --Sen. Obama
[[Whatda...?????]]
========================

This hyphenated-Americans can talk on both sides of any issue and when he finishes you discover he has offered absolutely nothing that could be used to define him.

[omaar-101]

McCain meets with Gay Republicans
Log Cabin confirms talks with presumed GOP nominee


The president of the Log Cabin Republicans confirmed today that he recently met face-to-face with GOP presidential candidate John McCain.

As first reported by GayPatriot.org, Patrick Sammon, the head of the gay Republican organization, met with McCain apparently within the last couple of weeks.

In a statement supplied to the Blade Wednesday, Sammon wrote that his organization has %u201Chad a series of productive meetings with the campaign since Sen. McCain won the nomination %u2014 including a recent meeting with the senator.%u201D

%u201CWe expect to have more conversations with the campaign as we head toward November," Sammon wrote.

The Log Cabin Republicans have not yet endorsed McCain for president.

GayPatriot.org reports that the Log Cabin meeting was not reflected on McCain%u2019s published schedule in advance of the meeting.

The web site reports that the meeting with McCain would be the first between any gay GOP group and a Republican presidential nominee since the %u201CAustin 12%u201D met with then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000.
---------------------------

[beastof70]

McCain meets with Gay Republicans
Log Cabin confirms talks with presumed GOP nominee
...

Posted by Omaar-101 at 06:06 PM : Jun 27, 2008
============================

Was you not in attendance Omaar??

[chitown639]

This hyphenated-Americans can talk on both sides of any issue and when he finishes you discover he has offered absolutely nothing that could be used to define him.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Beastof70

Well, looks like that GED of YOUR isnt paying off too well. Obama position is very clear....Reading and Comprehension is what YOU should discover.....

[omaar-101]

Beastof70: You Know that You are a Charter & Card Carrying Member of the `Log Cabin Republicans`

You & McCain were gathered Together Yesterday, behind closed Doors, Negoiating whether or not to Support Poor ole John !!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You `Log Cabin CowBoy` You


Yeeee Haaaaw !!!!


Ride Em, High, You Log cabin ...CowBoy...You !!!

[randynason]

Even though a few may have a screw loose, it''s high time to kick some GOP butt.

[sgtrds-e4]

In the end nearly all of Hillary''s supporters will vote for Barack because a McCain presidency would mean a conservative Supreme Court such as we have not had in generations. One that would overturn Roe, set back women''s and civil rights back decades and decades.

[terrorislami]

DEMONIC-RAT PLAN TO LOWER GAS PRICES,,,

do nothing,,,,

if you want a baby,,, you have to f''k,,, yes it still will take 9 months,,,

if you want oil,,, you have to DRILL,,,

NORWAY had a huge find off their coast,,, they are oil independent now,,,

brazil had two huge oil finds off their coast,,,

DEMONIC-RATS will let CHINA drill off the usa coast before it allows the usa to,,,

talk about putting party before country,,,

DEMONIC-RATS are the wrong way and the wrong change,,,

[sgtrds-e4]

Posted by RowdyWicca

Well, if you had a shred intelligence or a hint of decency you could appreciate that Obama gave Hillary his check to motivate his supporters to also give to the Hillarys cause.

Posted by chitown639 at 06:02 PM : Jun 27, 2008

She has neither.

[terrorislami]

FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAM IS THE PROBLEM,,,

HUSSEIN IS NOT THE SOLUTION,,,

[sgtrds-e4]

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama!!!!

Sounds better every time and I''ll smile every time it''s said over the next 8 plus years.

[terrorislami]

THE REASON WE ARE IN IRAQ,,,,

THE DEMONIC-RAT DOCTRINE,,,

On February 16, 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said the "the defense of Saudi Arabia is vital to the defense of the United States." On February 14, 1945, while returning from the Yalta Conference, Roosevelt met with King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia on the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal, the first time a U.S. president had visited the Persian Gulf region.

The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on 23 January 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force if necessary to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf region. The doctrine was a response to the 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union, and was intended to deter the Soviet Union%u2014the Cold War adversary of the United States%u2014from seeking hegemony in the Persian Gulf. After stating that Soviet troops in Afghanistan posed "a grave threat to the free movement of Middle East oil," Carter proclaimed:

Let our position be absolutely clear: An attempt by any outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region will be regarded as an assault on the vital interests of the United States of America, and such an assault will be repelled by any means necessary, including military force. (full speech)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Doctrine

[wisepeace]

The essence of the reason why Clinton supporters cannot vote for Obama has not yet been addressed by either party nor are all the derogatory comments by pundits helping the matter. While it is now too late, the democratic party failed to provide a clean process whereby everyone could agree on the winner. Additionally, they have allowed women, especially older women, to be disregarded when it is those women who paved the way. No one has demanded a woman for VP as should have happened and no one is coming forth to promise women''s rights. Take a back seat they say.

[sgtrds-e4]

The primary nomination was clean and fair to both sides. Hillary lost. She didn''t lose like a woman or like a man, she lost like a candidate. She didn''t lose because of se*xism, she lost because Barack was the better choice.

[omaar-101]

zoe2006: No I Mean the `Log Cabin Republicans` Your Republican Group, that, You want to Deny..
---------------------------

McCain meets with Gay Republicans
Log Cabin confirms talks with presumed GOP nominee

The president of the Log Cabin Republicans confirmed today that he recently met face-to-face with GOP presidential candidate John McCain.

As first reported by GayPatriot.org, Patrick Sammon, the head of the gay Republican organization, met with McCain apparently within the last couple of weeks.

In a statement supplied to the Blade Wednesday, Sammon wrote that his organization has %u201Chad a series of productive meetings with the campaign since Sen. McCain won the nomination %u2014 including a recent meeting with the senator.%u201D

%u201CWe expect to have more conversations with the campaign as we head toward November," Sammon wrote.

The Log Cabin Republicans have not yet endorsed McCain for president.

GayPatriot.org reports that the Log Cabin meeting was not reflected on McCain%u2019s published schedule in advance of the meeting.

The web site reports that the meeting with McCain would be the first between any gay GOP group and a Republican presidential nominee since the %u201CAustin 12%u201D met with then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000.
---------------------------

[wooleywews]

Hey, is that you Rev. Wright.

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama!!!!

Sounds better every time and I''''ll smile every time it''''s said over the next 8 plus years.

[omaar-101]

%u201CWe expect to have more conversations with the campaign as we head toward November," Sammon wrote.

The Log Cabin Republicans have not yet endorsed McCain for president.

GayPatriot.org reports that the Log Cabin meeting was not reflected on McCain%u2019s published schedule in advance of the meeting.

Note: The web site reports that the meeting with McCain would be the first between any gay GOP group and a Republican presidential nominee since the %u201CAustin 12%u201D met with then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush in 2000.
---------------------------

[labrat9999]

Distraught HILLARY FANS..PLEASE DON''T VOTE FOR OBAMA!!
For all those Hillary fans that just can''t seem to get over it and move on...please don''t vote for Senator Obama. We really don''t want you in the Democratic party and would rather you vote Republican so you too can join the choosen few that can take the blame for the mess we are in. Thank you for your non-support. Now go join a McSame rally and leave us true Democrats alon...we want to make America a better place to live and raise our children and we have a lot of work to do considering the mess we are going to be handed.

[gretagreen]

Anyone but McCain!! Our country cannot withstand another Bush term, and that''s what Johnny McSame is offering us. I like Obama a lot. I like Hillary too. (I think they are too similar for Obama to choose her as VP, but that would be fine for me.) It''s going to be a close battle. Those of us who truly love this country (and especially those of us who have children) must UNITE and work hard to get a Democrat in the White House. I cannot bear to think of the alternative.

[bec67]

What a mess we have this time. It seems the Obama camp has firmly defined this election as the black guy or the other guy, period. There are NO other issues and if you question anything about Obama, You are a racist. That feels a lot more like a Bush third term to me than McCain. What bothers me the most is at this point, CNN and MSNBC are treating Obama like the second coming of Christ. They are blatantly using every brain washing technique at their disposal. For instance, Whenever they start a bit on Obama they use the visual with a large head & shoulder shot, the camera is slowly zooming in from a low angle, like looking up at GOD! On the other side, they usually show McCain as a small hunched over figure in a group shot. And then, there is the overwhelming attitude of the democratic pundits that Obama is already the "Presumptive President" not the "Presumptive democrat nominee". That does not leave much room for anyone to decide for themselves, does it?

[irliberal]

Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama!!!!

Sounds better every time and I''''ll smile every time it''''s said over the next 8 plus years.

Posted by SgtRDS-E4 at 07:07 PM

Aye, me too.

*grinning hugely*

And Hillary will stil be there. 8-)

[barocalto]

I listen to Hillary and she might have said she is all in this for Obama but the convention is a long way off and anything can happen. Hillary still has not released her votes to Obama so who knows. As for me Obama killed my dream of Hillary being the first female and best president this county may ever have. So I''m not voting on election day...
Obama you killed our dream all 18,000,000 of us.