Bill Clinton offers support to Obama

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Former President Clinton on Tuesday offered to help Barack Obama win the White House, although what work he'll do for his wife's former rival remained uncertain.

Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have taken steps to join efforts in the last three weeks — she met with him privately, endorsed his campaign and will campaign with him Friday. But the former Democratic president and the man running to be the next one haven't talked since the campaign ended.

Obama said the only reason they haven't spoken is because Clinton is traveling overseas. He praised the former president and said he's "looking forward to setting up a long conversation." "He's as smart as they come. He's a great strategist. We're going to want him campaigning for me," Obama said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters as he flew from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for a fundraiser, Obama said he was not certain what Clinton's role would be, but said he was eager to have the former president's help and support. "I think that just having somebody who knows American politics as well as he does and continues to be such an enormous draw will be hugely helpful," Obama said. "He's got a great following, including among a number of my supporters."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080624/ap_on_el_pr/obama_p...

[Apollo11]

1. Very classy comments by Barack Obama

Any so-called Clinton supporters would be nuts to vote for John McCain.

[YDogg]

2. agreed - on both counts.

[winston61]

3. Obama should tell Clinton - Don't do me any favors

trouser man. Tell him to stuff Hillary up his ass and then jump off a cliff.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

4. I have to agree with you.

Didn't Clinton's people "help" Kerry in '04?

[JeanGrey]

7. Agreed. Bill Clinton would be a total LIABILITY. I don't want

him helping Obama like he did Hillary.

[marshall]

9. That support worked out real well for Hillary, didn't it?

It's as much a double edged sword as McCain having Bush campaign with him. Neither candidate will want their own private albatross following them around the trail.

[Apollo11]

8. Luckily Obama is smarter than that

I don't think Bill Clinton will be playing a leading role in the Obama campaign.

Maybe he will do some campaign events in Arkansas.

I hope Hillary will help Obama reach out to "white women over 50".

But for obvious reasons - the Clintons will not play a big role in Obama's campaign.

[NorthCarolina]

5. A one line statement from Bill Clinton through a surrogate??

I don't think an "endorsement" could be any more disingenuous than that.

[JeanGrey]

10. The Clinton ego never fails, does it

[JohnnyLib2]

6. "Titular head of party seeks support of party elders."

That's one possible heading.

Another would be "New titular head of party burns bridges...."

---Sen. Obama is one shrewd politician.