Dianne Feinstein does her bit for Obama-Clinton unity

She's no Perle Mesta (an admittedly archaic and D.C.-centric reference; see below), but on Thursday night at least, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California was the most renowned hostess in Washington.

It was only a party of two -- Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, holding an unannounced tete-a-tete in Feinstein's living room -- but it was a gathering that had the nation's capital buzzing today.

Feinstein, a fervent Clinton supporter but one who had dropped broad hints lately that her favored candidate needed to prepare for exiting the Democratic presidential race, told various news outlets that the senator from New York called late Thursday afternoon to ask if her home could serve as semi-neutral turf for the sit-down about 9 p.m. EDT.

Feinstein not only graciously opened her doors but also discreetly absented herself, working upstairs while Clinton and Obama chatted privately. And if she overheard anything -- other than laughter -- she wasn't telling.

That's another sign of a good hostess. Still, Feinstein might want to bone up on Mesta's skill set. As you can read in this story, refreshments consisted only of glasses of water.

-- Don Frederick

* Mesta, who died in 1975 at age 85, was Washington's premier socialite from the 1930s into the 1950s. She graced the cover of Time magazine's March 14, 1949, issue. And at one point, she served as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, an improbable appointment that framed the plot of the Irving Berlin musical "Call Me Madam."

Comments

[BJ]

Diane Feinstein is an awesome person and a brilliant politician, whom I deeply respect.

On the other hand, Pelosi, Dean, and Reid need to fear for their political lives. Pelosi has not accomplished anything in her capacity, especially considering the Democrats have outnumbered Republicans in the House. Republicans have consistently outwitted her even with their diminished number.

It would be interesting to see what Obama can offer Hillary that would make reparations for the disrespect Hillary and her supporters have endured at the hands of the press, media, the DNC, Obama, his surrogates and his supporters, without compromising his authority.

Some Hillary supporters would be willing to wait and see what happens. This will determine how Obama handles delicate issues... it will be reflective of how her can perform in the highest office as far as diplomacy is concerned.

[john]

Anybody reading a newspaper should know who Perle Mesta was. Also, Senator Feinstein has been busy trying to sneak pro-amnesty legislation into military spending bills. It is fascinating to know that Feinstein can take a moment from pandering to illegal immigrants to try to foment party unity.

[Reschev]

Wounds generally heal, but be assured Hillary and Bill The Clintons have been given a wound that will never heal. They both now hate Barack Obama with a vengeance, and while they will smile, shake hands and talk, they will not walk the talk. Actually, our Nations has been handed a victory because of Obama having handed the Clintons' a defeat, and their not again having a co-presidency this coming November. The greater majority of women that voted for Hillary Clinton, did so simply because she is a woman, regardless having very little qualification to be the president. However, the two of them will still be around, and more than simply plotting a means to destroy Obama. I think the men having voted for her must be real hen-pecked sissies.

[Luc]

Is it more important to please a politician (HRC) and some parts of her constituency or make sure to be able to govern in the next four years?

In an ever-changing political world, isn't trust a priceless commodity? If you are President, would you trust Hillary Clinton unconditionally or would you think to her RFK moment?

Wouldn't be a huge distraction for Obama to have VP whose husband is a former President, with impeachment-prone inclinations and a lightning rod for the "against the dem-establishment" people?

These are just few reasons why Obama is very smart to take time and ponder about what is his and the country best choice to be his running mate. After all, Obama will govern in a critical time for the United States. I hope that Obama does not listen to people like Diane Feinstein on this topic.

I'm sure that Hillary Clinton can do a lot of good in the future without the need of a VP position. THAT would be a sign of a true lady, actually First Lady.

55-yrs old white democratic woman

[Character Counts]

What a strange gathering in a nation that adheres to democratic values and to the rule of law. We’ve heard of not so dissimilar meetings in places such as Pakistan, but then we assumed that the US was not like Pakistan. Apparently, there is a class of individuals among us who are convinced that they as the entitled governing can negotiate the conditions of surrender long after the votes are counted. I consider this to be a dangerous development. As for Hillary, she just needs to say two words: “I lost.” After that she really is not entitled to any additional consideration other than what might be bestowed on her because we value her input. But, that consideration should be made on a case by case basis, and she should only receive equal access.

[Gaias Child]

I watched Feinstein speak about the meeting and party unity and I think she did a great job. She's one who can offer Clinton support, friendship, and reality therapy as well. We are moving on. Let's do it in style. We've got a country to run and people to help and an environment waiting to be honored. Time's a wastin1

[CC]

Hillary did run a bit of a negative campaign, however its a given the Republicans will be worse, so both need to take the high road and stick to the issues that concern the majority of us who want a change. Hillary needs to
show her support of Obama and help the Democrats win, if they win so does she have the opportunity to contribute and influence change in many areas! Now is not the time for Hillary supporters to go negative, if they truly support an agenda to get us out of the mess Bush as created, its going to take all of us together!

[mksyed]

Senator Barak Obama Clinched the nomination as expected ,but Senator Hillay Clinton felt way short to concede and thank Barak Obama for winning Presidential nomination ,althouth Senator Barak called and left message to call back. She did not call him back ,and in defiance said supporters "what hillary wants now"? later to her close people she told she wants to Obama;s VP .After that lot many high ranking people talked on her behalf for VP. This is a shame on her.As a democratic voter I will be glad to see the "DREAM" ticket of Barak & Hillary, so that we more than sure to win in Nov.4 Presidential Election against John Mccain.Our nation definitety need "CHANGE" from eight years Bush-Chainey and Republican policy .The stake is very high for our people and country.It was sad to see how senator Hillary reacted at loss .Did she use her brain what she is doing .Every body was surprised .Still she wants the VP slot : no.2 place under Senator Barak Obama if he offer her that slot what is solely his decision.After several months of serious campaign both party is tired and the anomacity is still not settled down . I will personally request Senator Barak to excuse Senator Hillary with all precondition and consider the VP slot after he take a while,take his time and cool down for the sake of our people,our country and of course for Democratic Party to make sure we can win in November 4 Presidential election for bigger cause leaving behind all tthe hatret and all the ugly wounds .It will make him wiser.more taller and bigger for a leader like him .I am confident at the end of this ugly nomination process he wil sit down and think seriously about all the people who are looking at his face and waiting to hear from him that he has made the right decision by excusing Hillary and taking her in his joint ticket as VP so that we are all Democrat and every people of this country can win in Nov.4 againt John Mccain for White House. Thanks

[Bob]

Obama will be challenged to unify the Democratic Party. His biggest obstacle will be die-hard, Hillary or nothing, fanatics. Perhaps their numbers are less than their noise would imply?

Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!

http://klintons.com

[bruce becker]

Sen Clinton demonstrated her 3 AM-phone-call answering-capability last Tuesday. The phone rang on national TV and she hung up because she was worn out and grumpy.

Now she is 'getting it together' so she can say what 95% of the public can do. " Good campaign Barack Obama.
Now that this part of the process is over and you have won, I declare my resources and staff at your disposal should you need anything at all. I will work tirelessly to defeat the forces of reactivity in the Republican party and make certain that Democrats win the Presidency and the Senate and the House. I bless your candidacy, and I pray that all my supporters of all races, sexes and financial backgrounds can see that our differences on issues were few and minor and that the McCain Bush regime has destroyed the economy of the USA and that their ideas about 'permanent campaign' have been lies to all of us, and led me to make the terrible choice to believe in my President. I know now that I was lied to and I pray that all who love the USA will reject policies based on fear and lies, and I urge all to register and vote for Democrats, and I will work from this day to elect Barack Obama and his choice for running mate, whomever he selects." May it be so.
But no, she needs time to heal her ego, although I knew a month ago she could not win on delegates and that total votes is not how we elect the president, never was, never will be. Peace now. End the lies and the sham war.

[nkirv]

There's at least one party unity get-together this Saturday morning in Los Angeles to watch Clinton and shakes hands -- go to either the Obama or Clinton websites for details (Find Events).

www.hillaryclinton.com
www.barackobama.com

[Gail]

Well, just reading Perle Mesta's name here assures me that Don Frederick really knows Washington! Perle was legendary -- she was known as "the hostess with the most-ess". Did you know that Lyndon Johnson lived in her Spring Valley house after her?

[cindy]

It was gracious of Feinstein to offer her home as a neutral place for Hillary and Obama to meet. Also, Obama supporters & the media would like to quickly forget almost 18 million people voted for Hillary, but the voters - and Hillary - are human, and they cannot be expected to move on so quickly. It took a lot of grace for Clinton to reach out to Obama this early on, especially considering how his supporters - both in the media & in the public - quite nastily and steadily bashed her throughout the campaign.

Those who expect Hillary to reach out to Obama to unite the Democratic Party?? After how a senior and respected member of the Democratic party was treated during the course of this campaign, I feel she owes the Democratic Party nothing at this point. And that's saying something, as I am a lifelong Democrat who may now not vote. At all. "Iron my vote"?

[Voted for Hillary but Supporting Obama]

Reschev, I take issue with your "observation" that the majority of women voted for Hillary because she is a woman. That is insulting and insinuates that women either don't know or don't care about what happens to our country - we're just going to vote for the girl. We supported her because, in our opinion, she was the best person for the job.

And you must know the Clinton's personally. How else would you know that they "hate Barack Obama with a vengeance". Amazing how you know how everyone thinks.

Hillary did Obama a favor in this race. Do you think the Republicans are going to handle him with kid gloves? When he started out, he wasn't prepared to defend his candidacy against a tough opponent. Now, he has had some experience that will prove invaluable. But he "ain't seen nothin' yet"! The Republicans won't be handing out any compliments or balancing their run with diplomacy. It will be all out war. I hope he is prepared.

I think that HIllary has fought a strong, fair fight. This was a fight, don't forget. If she felt strongly that she was the right candidate, and she obviously did, it was her responsibility to fight as hard as she could for the people who contributed to her campaign because they believed in her. I didn't give my hard earned money just to see someone roll over easily. I think that she will fight just as hard to get Obama into the White House - perhaps even harder. I think she did a great job. Bill, however, has some anger issues he needs to deal with.

BTW - I fully supported HIllary. And I will fully support Obama. For all those people who are disappointed that Obama won and are threatening to support McCain - Hillary won't be, why should you? Don't let sour grapes encourage you to throw this country away. We can't survive 4 more years under a Republican administration. Lick your wounds and do the honorable thing. I don't say it lightly when I say that the future of this country is in our hands and I will throw my full support behind Obama for President. So we Hillary supporters lost. It will hurt much worse if we lose to the Republicans in November.

[Gary C.]

I don't know in full what role Feinstein was
supposed to play but I do know two key things.
Number 1 is that Clinton and Obama almost
have an obligation to their voters to NOT be
secretive. What if one of them were president
and some crucial issue were being discussed?
If they wanted the discussions to be in
secret, and, God knows why they wanted that,
then, they shouldn't have told the media about
the meeting.
Number 2 is that, if Obama wants to unify the
party, he's already failed.
He's failed because there are numerous groups
and individuals who formerly backed Clinton, but,
now back McCain or one of the independents.
You see...Obama not only has to vie with McCain
for former Clinton supporters, but, he also has
the independents to contend with.
Furthermore, there are now two organizations
with a solid footing from the get-go. One of them
is ClintonsforMcCain.com, which is a website but
also represents a group of Clinton defectors.
One other group is The National Organization
of Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain, which
has been founded by a Texas businessman and
now has over 7,000 members. It, in addition to other
groups and individuals, are raising money for
McCain.
So, has Obama really unified the party? Of
course not and he's not going to, either. I used
to be a Hillary backer, but, now I have a vote for
McCain bumper sticker and display it proudly.
Obama's greatest downfall is going to be
the debates. He whined and cried over the questions
Gibson and Stephanopoulos asked and after that
he declared he would engage in no more debates
with Clinton.
Well, Obama's campaign has so far lived off of
pardons and apologies. Apologies from the ABC
network for Gibson and Stephanopoulos; and
numerous apologies from Clinton as well as pardons
by more people than I could count.
Now its time to face McCain. Since McCain is
not a democrat or a media representative, he is
going to ask tougher questions than in the Clinton
debates, and, he will offer no pardons or apologies.
But, maybe he could offer Obama a box of Kleenex.

[nukeduke]

Reschev, what you say is true about the ladies but the same applies mostly for the blacks voting for Obama. I bet 50% of the blacks that have and will vote for Obama do not know where he is from or who his associates are. The other half just hear his promises which are not realistic. The one thing that he has promised to do is raise taxes from 15% to 38%. Obama and the other Dems. are after more of our money. Why would anyone vote for that?????

[Carrie Criado]

I have fully supported Hillary Clinton and applaud her and her campaign. I also applaud Diane Feinstein for her role in helping to bring Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton together to discuss biggest need now - to unify the Democratic Party. Am glad to be living at a time when can see true change - women as influential politicians and leaders and Barack Obama who will become our first African American President of the United States!