Together again, campaigning on stage — only this time not as rivals. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton make their much touted joint appearance in Unity, NH this morning, eager to give a kick in the pants to the grand healing of the Democratic Party. Almost too cute for words, Unity, NH, was chosen as the spot not just for its name, but because voters there awarded exactly 107 votes to each candidate at the primary contest in January.
It's a back-scratching come-together (as in, "I'll scratch yours if. . .") Obama needs Clinton to give her voters and donors the thumbs up to shift their loyalties, and Clinton needs the guarantee she'll be treated as a respected surrogate and important part of the campaign — as well as a "hey, Obama. Can I borrow a few million?" campaign debt-clearing effort. To see how Obama kicked that off, read more.
The debt-clearing effort began last night when Clinton introduced Obama to 300 of her best (at least $100,000-best) fundraisers at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC. At the event, Obama confessed to his own entry in the fundrace, his and Michelle's maximum donations to Clinton. He said:
I wrote my check to the Hillary for President Committee. I recognize that this room shares the same passion that a roomful of my supporters would show. I do not expect that passion to be transferred. Senator Clinton is unique, and your relationships with her are unique. Senator Clinton and I at our core agree deeply that this country needs to change.
Exciting though the symbolism of uniting might be, the actual event was apparently deathly dull. One attendee said, "it was like a dentist's appointment." Ouch. Are voters ready to accept a united Democratic party? Are Hillary supporters ready to make the switch? Is the meeting in New Hampshire today the real deal, or just a "show" of unity?
Free People
Lancaster
Beyond The Valley
I have to say, it's incredibly corny, but it's cute at the same time!
1That is supposed to be Obama and Clinton hugging!
2So who is who? Which smiley is the poor scared creature waiting alone for the hug to come?
3
, The End.
4Hmmm...I'm thinking Clinton is the scared creature...
Although, I will say, this partnership will obviously be mutually beneficial.
5Incredibly ironic she went into debt trying to discredit Obama and now he's helping her get out of debt...
6Good Morning Citizens.
7That is pretty crazy that Unity had the exact same number of votes for each candidate. I wonder how often that happens?
I am glad they are coming together and supporting each other. I think focusing on the importance of the big picture is a very good thing.
I also think it is great that Obama mentioned that he understands that people can't just automatically transfer their passion for one candidate to another. It kind of reminds me of how I feel about Harmony...I would love for her to support Obama, but at the same time I respect and don't want to interfere with her connection to Hillary.
8Considering how grueling, bloody, and acrimonious their primary battle was, it's gratifying to see them come together so civilly now for the good of their party--especially the efforts he's been making to help her retire her campaign debt.
They say it's the winner's privilege to be gracious, but I also have to say that her recent behavior has been excellent as well.
9I'm sorry but this question of unity is it going to come or isn't it, is beginning to wear on me. The Democratic Party will unite whether out of sheer glee or necessity. I simply wish the media would accept that fact and stop posturing with doubt.
At this point in the game Sen. Obama has everything going for him full steam ahead. This is all the more reason he needs to be diligent about minding his step. A fall from grace turns every face. The last thing he needs is another circus surrounding someone other than him that will cast doubt on his candidacy.
Sen. Clinton has also secured a bright future for herself. As I've said before the lady knows what she's doing. Politics is the chess game from hell but at the end of the day the candidates can always shake hands and know that it's just politics.
10If I were an Obama supporter and had given him money, I think I'd be pretty pissed if he gave my money to her.
I guess thats immature of me, but I still wouldn't like it!
11cabaker--I was pretty annoyed at first as well (my specific thought being: "Dude, she got herself into that debt trying to destroy you!"), but I've come to see it as an effort to rise above what came before for the good of the party. The faster she retires that debt, the more and more effectively she'll be able to campaign for him.
12I know I know... its all about the greater purpose. I think I would just convince myself that my money didn't go to her!
13Did he give any of his campaign money or just a personal donation?
14Just have a spoon full of sugar cabaker.
15I thought I saw yesterday that he hadn't yet made the $2300 personal donation.
16I see. I saw a story about it on Today this morning, but I was getting ready, so I couldn't really give it my full attention.
17I believe he and his wive have given her $2,300 each. He's also asked donors to give to her as well.
18I'm sure theres some reason for it, though I don't know what it is.
Maybe she borrowed from Countrywide so she actually doesn't have to pay any of it back!
Kidding kidding!
19Jude you're right, that happened yesterday.
20Countrywide...
You're too funny, cabaker!
21YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY! It feels so good to see her.
22Jill you are very sweet and rest assured he has my vote.
its not the small donors that wil be donating to Hils, HIls has introduced obama to her top fundaraisers and in return he helps her pay off the debt
he and michelle even donated the maximun 4600, aaww, we are family 
23Yeah it was personal NOT campaign $ that Obama donated.
24I see how it is, now that there is a clear loser, NOW they care about party unity. Had to get that one snarky comment in there
It is kinda heartwarming to see them hug and make up, hopefully it helps the Dems out in
November!
25He donated his and his wife's personal money yesterday, and he is asking his top donors to donate to her (also his top aides, etc). He isn't taking money that people have given to him to give to her...he is encouraging new donations.
26I glad to see the unity of these two great people. And yeah Hils did come into debt to make O look bad, but he did the right thing. He will have good karma.
27That's what I thought I heard too, Jill. And I'm pretty sure I heard he's making a point of not sending e-mails, etc. out to his whole list to ask for donations for Hillary, just asking large donors, like Jill said.
28Ohhh ok. Thats better then!
29Ohhh ok. Thats better then!
30bah! stupid double post!
31It's okay cab. It happens to us all.
(Wait actually it's NEVER happened to me!)
32I have this theory that people purposely double post to become commenter of the month...
33You're right lil! That's totally what they're doing! At least I won fair and square.
34I see this as a "grab what money I can" play from Hillary. I have a hard time beliving Barak didn't hold his nose while doing this group hug in Unity.
35All I know is that if Hillary would have said "The Next President of the United States, Barack Obama" one more time, I would have screamed - well, i did scream. Talk about redundancy and filler. We get it.
36I wonder what, if anything, Barak is going to ask the Clintons to do within his campaign.
37The Clintons have also donated the maximum $ 4600 the Obama campaign
38My understanding is that campaign finance regulations prevent Obama from giving his campaign contributions directly to Hillary. All he can do is solicit his donors.
UnDave: You don't have to hold your nose if you're the winner.
At least Hillary didn't want much lunch, she'd already swallowed her pride.
I love the pictures with this entry. It looks like Hillary is getting ready to (gleefully) slap Barack upside the head....
39im sorry but im just being picky about this and seen it a lot, but why does it have to be Hilary/Obama. hello the person who is running should have their name first! lets change that ppl. HELLLOOO
40And let's hope it isn't Obama/Clinton. I just don't see how having her on the ticket helps him.
41Oh I don't know...maybe her 18 million supporters?
42Well, I guess there are those. But Hillary has already thrown her support behind Barak, so why does he need her to get those 18 million?
I'm just giving you a hard time. Sorry
43It's cool.
I am NOT one of them....but there are a lot of supporters that are
threatening to defect to McCain if she isn't on the ticket. Some don't trust Obama's experience, some think he's too far left, and some just want to punish the democratic party...As STUPID as
that sounds. I personally don't necessarily think that's the best place for her, but many do. It's a tricky situation. He's going to have to weigh his pros and cons.
44ugh i heard one of those "defectors" on fox and every single thing she said pointed to the fact that she should of been voting for mccain in the first place.
45Per campaign finance rules, Obama technically could have given $5,000 of his campaign money to Hillary's campaign. Although, I completely understand why he didn't.
46Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.