By Lisa Anderson
NEW YORK--On their newly hatched togetherness tour, former Democratic rivals Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois appeared together at a fundraiser this morning at the New York Hilton.
Billed as a Women for Obama Finance Breakfast, the gathering drew more than 2,000 people, who paid between $250 and $2,300 per seat.
Many of them, according to Cora Weiss, one of the hosts, were former Clinton supporters.
But the difficulties of transferring political passion--and financial support-- from one candidate to another--particularly in this most unique of cases--were not only evident, but acknowledged at length in remarks by Clinton and Obama.
Clinton, who spoke first with Obama seated at her side, reminded the audience that the most important thing to keep in mind is that "Anyone who voted for me has so much in common with those who voted for Barack."
And, she added, the Democratic Party is a family, albeit sometimes a "dysfunctional family."
Pledging she will do "everything I can and everything I'm asked" to support Obama, Clinton brought the audience to their feet.
"She rocks," said Obama, taking his turn at the microphone and beginning by thanking "all the passionate supporters of Sen. Clinton who are here" and "most of all, thank you to Hillary Rodham Clinton for joining us here today."
He told the audience that "I've admired her as a leader. I've learned from her as a candidate and I'm proud to call her my friend," he said, adding he knows that he "desperately" needs her and Bill Clinton involved in the campaign.
That may be true, but what he really needs from her are her donors and what she really needs from him is help in retiring her $23 million campaign debt.
And,that may be what keeps them smiling and together--at least until November..
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Comments
They are happy together, Missy, because they know that they can kick McSame's behind. And, yes, I join Jesse in wanting some peanut brittle over Young Barry's 'faith based' Reaganomics/Thousand Points of light" crapola he's been spouting as part of his "Gee, let's see if I can LOSE by going to a NON EXISTENT CENTER. I hope the young junior senator wakes up and soon. I've the bread and the jelly, looking for that jar of peanut butter. Jesse! You got it?
Posted by: geraldine hussein too | July 10, 2008 11:58 AM
Poor Hillary--
What must be going on deep in her mind
Posted by: George | July 10, 2008 12:20 PM
These two could not more clearly hate each other and it shows. Sweetie, Missy, Obama and his supporters have such nice words for women.
Posted by: Jeff | July 10, 2008 12:50 PM
If we don't work together as Democrates, we're going to soon find ourselves without a party and it will happen in our life time! If the Democrats want to win, then Hillary and Bill must do all they can to HELP. If this doesn't happen, we will know that the Clintons are selfish and unforgiving people who helped to lose a golden opportunity.
Sen. Obama rocks!
Posted by: change | July 10, 2008 1:12 PM
Ya know, 'change', this maoist tendency of camp obama "we must work together.." and then the clinton bashing line--what the hell are the clintons doing but helping this kid who turned tail on FISA (this is NOT the first campaign I've paid attention to, contributed to, volunteered for--I'm on the same team--but anytime it's anything but rah rah Obama you guys act up on these blogs) because we don't want the crminals to stay in power.
Knock it off! And no, sen. obama does NOT rock--he sold out on nukes, 'clean coal', and his senatorial office is rather maoist to anyone who disagrees with him on issues. Know what you're talking about before you get on the blogs and bully we older folks. We've got nothing to lose, kids in your youth-based, rock-star worshiping world.
so, yes, if the senator would have protected my privacy rights--he wouldn't be getting it from me right now. I really really wish the news media hadn't trashed Hillary out of the front runner positions. I'll work for Obama--but STOP BASHING THE CLINTONS!
Posted by: geraldine "hussein" too | July 10, 2008 7:18 PM
This might be the most irresponsibly pro-Obama spun post EVER on the Swamp and that's saying something. Do you, Lisa Anderson, realize that the internet has been abuzz all day about how Obama made his speech, riled up the crowd a little and CLEARLY FORGOT to mention anything about retiring Clinton's debt? And this event was supposed to be about unity? Are you serious? You think you might want to maybe report how that embarassing scenario happened? Unbelievable.
Since the Swamp won't tell you about that here's video of the huge campaign gaffe. If I were a Clinton supporter I'd understand immediately what this man, who preaches unity, thinks nothing about helping Hillary and only about himself. And the Swamp tried to cover it up.
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=4de63476-0db1-4241-a7e8-8149f847a6ef
Posted by: Jeff | July 10, 2008 11:15 PM
I remember the summer night at Fitzgeralds in Houston, when they passed the hat for Sevie Ray Vaughn, so that he and Double Trouble could make the trip to Dallas. Now that my friend, was a cause worth contributing to. I miss that guy.
Posted by: Django Scott - Houston Tx | July 11, 2008 12:18 AM