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June 27, 2008: Clinton, Obama in Unity: 'We are one party'
By DAN TUOHY
UnionLeader.com
Friday, Jun. 27, 2008
Unity – Their hug was quick. Their mutual praise was effusive. Their message was simple, ginned up as it was in the symbolism of a rally in a bucolic town called Unity.
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, once old enemies, are now new friends with a shared vision of sinking Sen. John McCain’s bid for the White House.
“This is our time to march forward in Unity,” Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, told several thousand people gathered in a field yesterday. “We will not just change the country, we will change the world. Let’s get to work.”
►Unity revels under spotlight cast upon Obama, Clinton
►Dan Tuohy's reports from Unity on Friday (20)
►AP Video: The big rally in little Unity
►Politico.com: Bill Clinton, not Hillary, is still a problem for Obama (4)
In their first joint campaign appearance, the two stood united, conscious that a divided Democratic Party could be their fall come Nov. 4. Clinton pledged her support.
“Now I don’t think it’s at all unknown in this audience that this was a hard-fought primary campaign,” the New York senator said before introducing Obama. “We have traversed America making our case to the American people. We have gone toe to toe in this hard-fought primary. But today and every day going forward, we stand shoulder to shoulder.”
As she spoke, the occasional cry went up from the back of the crowd: “Hillary! VP! Hillary! VP! Hillary! VP!”
Peggy Belmonte, an openly gay woman from nearby Springfield, Vt., repeated the cry throughout the hour-long program. She said she would vote for Obama regardless of his running mate. But, she said, “He’s stupid if he doesn’t do it.”
Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama wave to supporters before speaking at the Unity Elementary School on Friday. (THOMAS ROY)
Clinton grinned as her name was chanted. “We may have started on separate paths but today our paths have merged,” she said. “I was honored to be in this race with Barack and I am proud that we had a spirited dialogue. That was the nicest way I could think of phrasing it. But it was spirited because we each care so much.”
Clinton called those who have voted for her and Obama “an unstoppable force for change we can all believe in,” a take on his slogan that she made fun of during their nomination battle. At this event, there was no mistaking that she is on Team Obama.
“We are one party,” she said. “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.”
While saying she and Obama had great respect for McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, she said a McCain presidency would amount to a third term for President Bush. "In the end, Senator McCain and President Bush are like two sides of the same coin -- and it doesn't amount to a whole lot of change."
In response to the rally, the Republican Party this week cast Obama as an out-of-touch freshman politician. In a statement yesterday, the Republican National Committee indicated that the fight for New Hampshire will come down to independent voters.
“The one consistency Barack Obama has going today is that he’s once again surrounded himself with Democrats,” said Blair Latoff, RNC spokeswoman. “The problem he faces is that Democrats, like Republicans and independents, prefer a candidate who will work with the other party for the betterment of the country even when it isn’t popular.”
The latest New Hampshire polling from American Research Group gives Obama a 12-point lead over McCain. McCain won the New Hampshire primary in 2000, and this year, by winning over the state’s independents. The ARG poll of 600 likely voters June 13 to June 17 gave Obama a 15-point lead when it comes to this voting bloc.
In his 15 minutes at the microphone in Unity, population 1,700, Obama said his campaign needed Senator Clinton and former President Bush to win the White House and to help people realize their American dream.
“It's fitting that we meet in a place called Unity,” Obama said, referring to the 107 votes he and Clinton each received in this small western New Hampshire town on Jan. 8, 2008.
He called for bringing troops home from Iraq, providing universal health care, a new energy policy that focused on conservation and alternatives, and pay equity for women.
“The choice in this election is not between left and right. It’s not between liberal and conservative. It’s been the past and the future,” Obama said.
Obama, speaking to a rapt crowd steaming in the sun, said Clinton has “an unyielding desire to improve the lives of ordinary Americans, no matter how difficult that fight may be.”
“She rocks. She rocks,” he said, grinning.
Not everyone was so happy with the event. Nancy Sabet of Newton, Mass., stood dejected outside the event, protesting the end result. She said she will not vote for Obama come November, but will write in Clinton. She said Obama lacks experience and would have difficulty running a small company.
“I understand what she’s doing, but I don’t have to go along with it,” she said. “I don’t want the party united for this.”
But Bucky Demers, a mechanic who decked out his 2008 Monte Carlo Pro Stock race car with Obama stickers outside the rally site, said Clinton would drag Obama down. He called Clinton “a liability” and a “polarizing’ figure. Still, on a day when few people were speaking of anything but unity, he said he would stay positive.
“I’m proud of her,” said Demers, who races every Saturday at Canaan Fair Speedway. “Take it from a race car driver, pulling out before the race is over is embarrassing.”
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YOUR COMMENTS
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Dave(Derry),"Cheney unelected presidency","courage to follow up on these fascist war criminals","darkness that has fallen on us".
What the HUH???
Gee,we're not to overly dramatic,or is that overly wrought,are we Dave?
Perhaps you should get yourself to a fainting-couch,until your case of the vapors passes.
- Mike P., Manchester
Obama WILL change this sad state that our country is in. He is a true leader. I'm proud of the Americans who have voted for him in the primaries and for those who are open minded enough to change their vote from Hillary to Barack in November.
- Kris, Dover
There is never going to be "one Party" so better get into reality and realize the best the USA can succeed at is both parties working together. Obama & Clinton want ONE party- and that is just not reality. Working over the ailes and compromising is the key to accomplished issues and the safety of this country. McCain knows what that means & how to do it.
- Ken Wallen, N. Andover, NH
Unity????? Thats a joke. After playing the race card against the Clintons throughout the primary season, and treating Hillary like she should go back to the kitchen with the other sweeties he will never offer her the VP spot. Hillary isn't fooled either...this is the start of the Hillary 2012 campaign. And I was amazed to read that a lesbian supporter of Hillary was going to vote for Obama. Is she crazy? If she has a partner they should go visit Obama's church of 20 years in Chigago and hold hands during the one of Rev Wrights sermons. A supporter of anything except bonfires for gay men and women would never have been in that church for 20 years.
- valwayne, Aurora/CO
What a riot Mike - Your comments about a Democratic congress are false and transparent. Everyone knows what is happening, more fillibusters by the republican congresss than any in history. It's scary in there and the GOP holds most of the responsibility for this one. The GOP is going to get routed out in just a few months and never has it been so deserved.
- Mike Williams, Wilton
Funny how bitter some of the republican comments are. Not suprising considering 8 years of an embarrassing administration and the country's willingness to elect a man who at the very least can speak intelligently.
- Steve Brown, Manchester
I did not vote for anyone, but I know someone personally that went to Harvard with Obama for 10 years i believe and she said the man's a genious. I dont know if he has the experience but Mccain is what 71??? thats too old and implus Mccain is nothing but the next Bush and thats the last thing America needs.
- Jack miaf, Los Angeles
"Next stop after Unity, Hollywood for the making of the movie Dumb and Dumber Part II."
- peter, stratham
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0329028/
just thought i'd point that out.
- Ross O., Saint Paul
i ought to vote for myself cuz none of these flakes can or will do what i can do for my family....
- g talbot, new hampton
I will have a hard time voting for Obama if Hillary is not on the ticket. Hillary Clinton is the clear choice for president. She has experience, she's worked across party lines and she can go up against the Republican Party like no one else. The party doesn't change the country. Saying nice speeches doesn't change the country. You can say what you want, but can you deliver? I'm not convinced Obama can. Having a democrat with no experience in office is just as bad, if not worse, than not having a democrat in office.
- Lisa, Brimfield, MA
my best wishes go out to Sen. Obama. it is doubtful that anybody can get us out of the mess that the Cheney unelected presidency has gotten us into. i credit anyone with the courage to follow-up
on these fascist war criminals. but the world does hope, and maybe the hope can somehow bring some light to the darkeness that has fallen on us.
- Dave, Derry
how can there be talk of unity when there isn't even a unity ticket? if hillary isn't on the ticket, i'm voting for mccain.
- jose, new york, ny
If you believe this, I have two bridges for sale. One is in Brooklyn
- `Bill Knightly, Gilford
This wasn't about "unity" this was about a payoff. Clinton went through the motions and now Obama will pay her off...pay off her campaign debts and
probably will give her the 11 million of her own money she spent on her campaign, that under the table of course.
Isn't politics wonderfull..... Our founding fathers have all rolled over in their graves.
Norm. Florida
- Norm, Sanford, Florida
Obama For Change! That means he wants the change from your wallet!
- mike johnson, manchester NH
Bill in Pelham, well said. This is a "lesser of two evils" election. I have never liked McCain much, but compared to a far leftist liberal who is running a campaign of empty buzzwords, McCain looks pretty damn good.
The people gave the democrats a chance to run Congress...to shape the laws the govern us. The Democrats have failed once again. Gas prices, food prices, etc....the liberal hate mongers can not solely blame the president because our democrat congress has done nothing to make it better, but they HAVE done things to make it WORSE...and on top of that, they badmouth the steps the Bush administration tries to take to make it BETTER. Thanks Pelosi et al, but hey, at least we can ban those evil incandescent light bulbs and replace them with environmental-friendly mercury filled fluorescent bulbs. Well done liberals, well done.
- Mike, Temple
This is a start. Theirs was a "spirited" campaign as Hillary said. Ugly sometimes, but it's time to forgive on both sides and come together to defeat the RepubliCon machine. The machine that has bankrupted our country in so many ways. I am an Obama supporter, but would have been happy should Hillary have been the nominee. Let's join together to beat the Cons.
- Lynne, Iowa
What a total fraud this is. And to think there are still some like Elaine that will vote for Obama. Not because they agree with or like him but because of his party. What a shame some can't see beyond party loyalty and vote for what is best for them and our country. Unfortunately neither candidate is at this point so at least vote for the lesser of two evils.
Obama is further left than even Dukakis was when he ran. If your for total control of your life and your money by the government for fraud programs to supplement the welfare state then vote for him. As for unity Clinton had to do it because she secretly hopes he loses so she can try to run again in 2012. It is about the power after all!!
- Bill B., Pelham
It was very touching. I felt like my soul was being SAVED!
Obama has so many great choices for running mates: Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, Malik Zulu Shabazz (Head of the New Black Panthers), James A. Johnson, and Hillary Kosovo Clinton.
Today, the Democratic Majority Congress has an approval rating below 16 percent - and why do we want them into the White House?
Next stop after Unity, Hollywood for the making of the movie Dumb and Dumber Part II.
- peter, stratham
New Hampshire, how many more times will you be used, again. Open your eyes and see what's going on here. Hil-dog and Bill can really give this guy the fits through November. How does the old saying go; 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' About Obama - A Community Organizer, he claims to be. This is only one in a short list of accomplishments in public office. Empty promises and nothing to back them up. So, New Hampshire, do you want change? Obama didn't mention that change would be for the better. How many more times will you fall for this foulishness? Keep on drinking the kool-aid as long as they're dishing it out.
- William Livingston, Smyrna, Georgia
If Hillary wanted unity, she would have quit her campaign, not suspended it.
- Greg Salts, Manchester
Months on end of trashing each other, now united, How sweet.
Hope everyone stood up for their commitment , brought their check books and starting helping hillary out with her loans. Make one out for the deadbeat dad's too., they need a break.
I don't want him running my company let alone the country.
- bob, auburn
This is the biggest hypocrazy ever to come about. I am still trying to figure out which one hates the other the most. Let´s hope that Senator John McCain comes out ahead in Nov 08.
- Russell MacDonald, Previously of Alton, NH
Sean,.
How right you are. She is a rock! Very disappointed in her outcome, but will support Obama.
- Elaine, Conway, NH
Obama has such grand ideas, but I just don't think he can get any of them done. Two years after we were told we would have the troops home still nothing.
I just have the feeling he doesn't know what he is in for if he wins and he won't be even slightly effective in the office. Too many promises. Too far from reality.
It would be nice, though...
- John A., Manchester, NH
At least we don't have to elect her like the Rock Head Bush. What a scam this preseidency has been!! The GOP need look no further for any problems in 2008.
- Bill, Antrim
I was there, I went all wobbly in the knees. I swooned, I felt free. I thought, this is the dawning of the age of Aquarius. Then on the way home I had to fill up my gas tank and buy some groceries. What a bummer!!
Leno, Raymond
- leno hebert, raymond
The circus is in town with their clowns. What a joke.
- Gerry Richmond, Milton
Well said Sean, so is he.
- Mike, Auburn
Obama with his socialist philosphies is the biggest threat this country has ever faced. He is one dangerous man.
- Brian, Farmington
She doesn't rock!! She is a rock!
- Sean, Milford