Clinton and Obama do joint fundraiser but he forgets the fund part

The unity thing is proving something of a stubborn problem for the no longer officially dueling camps of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. There've been reports in recent days of some die-hard Clinton supporters being less than supportive of the fellow who crunched her.

But confirmed Clintonite Terry McAuliffe says it's only one or two people. So that can't mean much. And there's probably hardly any Obama folks saying, "Remind me again why I should help pay the bills for the travel and events when she was always attacking Obama?"

But what happened Wednesday night was a little embarrassing.

After the two Democrats voted differently on the Senate's FISA retroactive surveillance O.K. bill, Obama flew Clinton from Washington to New York City on his plane for two fundraisers where they'd both appear together and she'd graciously introduce him and there'd be that cheek peck.

And Obama would repeat his eloquent thing about change and how George W. Bush is really the first two terms of John McCain or something and ask the folks for money and kinda push them toward retiring Clinton's campaign debt. Depending on the numbers you hear, her debts could be as large as $23 million or maybe "only" $10 million, which is like -- what? -- 20 speeches or something for her husband.

So The Times' Louise Roug was at the Hyatt in the crowd of 1,000 who'd each paid $1,000 (what a coincidence!) so they could also pay cash at the bar. She dutifully listened to his familiar, 30-minute talk about promise. The crowd applauded. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" blasted out of the sound system and Obama bounced off the stage to work the rope line and shake hands, not looking nearly as weary as The Times story says he is.

But about two minutes later Obama bounces back onto the stage. (See the video below.) Waves his hands. Had he forgotten to mention about the jobs program?

The music stopped. Or maybe he neglected to praise his distant cousin Dick Cheney?

"Hold on a second," he shouted. "I got one more thing." Oops! It seems Obama had forgotten to mention the part about giving money to Hillary Clinton in the spirit of unity, the whole reason they were gathered there in the first place.

"Sen. Clinton still has some debt. And I could have had some debt -- if I hadn't won -- so I know the drill. There are many supporters of mine here who have not yet given something to help her retire that debt. I would be very grateful if you looked under your chair. I think there should be an envelope or a pledge sheet or something.

"If people would take the time not only to pick it up but put something in it and mail it back...that is part of the process of making sure that we're unified...Allright, turn on the music again. Let's keep on partying."

And so they did. In perfect unity, no doubt.

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: CNN

Comments

[Alessandro Machi]

It ain't over folks. There will be a roll call in Denver and when the traitors who deserted Hillary Clinton are known, they will be voted out of office if they have an office to be vote out of.

But before that happens, there is so much juicy material to try and timeline together. There are many despicable people in this years selection that paraded as news people when they were already supporting Barack Obama, and that should not stand.

http://www.Hillary-Wins.com
http://www.CaucusCheating.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com
http://www.WALLSTREETCHANGE.com

[anne white]

It's not just one or two people like Terry may want to think. There are many of us that voted for Hillary and will never support Obama. And forgetting the main thing Hillary was there for ...... fundraising? Nah. If you know anyone that has done drugs, you know what happens to their brain! EH., AH.,UH., I wouldn't be surprised if he still had that small problem.

[frank]

Soon, Into the unknown....
Does anybody trust either McCain or Obama to make any right decision? Maybe before the election, Obama, for opportunity, will even change his name and McCain out of frustration, will drop out of the race.

[DT]

Andrew, your posts seem to be tilting more rightward recently. Is this a conscious choice, or am I reading too much into the July political silly season?

[S.A.]

Have you noticed how often Obama forgets. If he becomes president, will he remember why he went to washington ? I think Barack Obama have too many senior moments. I thought this kind forgetfulness belong to John McCain.

[Darrell]

From PUMASupporter Darrell

Obama is now using a shrewd and slick campaign marketing ploy to trick and bammboozle Hillary supporters into unifying the party, Obama want’s his supporters to help pay off Hillary’s debt so that Hillary’s supporters will help finance his campaign in the long-term, this is crooked politics at it’s best. Well, PUMAS are on to Obama’s mind games and tricks now, that’s why us Hillary supporters should only pay off Hillary’s debt without Obama and his supporters financial help, this sounds like a form of “Quid Pro Quo” to me, meaning,what Obama is really saying to Hillary and her supporters, if you help me win the Presidency I will tell my supporters to also help get rid of your debt, both Obama’s supporters and Hillary’s supporters are not listening to Obama ’s plea on this one, and I hope not a one of Hillary’s supporters donate to Obama’s campaign now or later, but only to the relief of Hillary’s debt so that when the Denver Convention comes around, Hillary does not feel obligated to Obama and be able to make her case to the Superdelegates in strong fashion with no pressure whatsoever that she’s the best candidate to challenge McCain and beat him for the Presidency.

This African American Male Says: No Democratic Party Unity, No Obama, No Obama Donations, No Way!!

Go Hillary, McCain, or Nader For President!!

[Linda]

As a tactic against Clinton, Senator Obama’s campaign has played games with the number of donors from the beginning. Just 2 weeks ago Axelrod was on PBS claiming 1.7 million donors, the conflation of “Donors” and “Donations”has led Obama supporters down the rabbit hole. The FEC disclosure Database in Campaign Finance will tell you the truth. 249,217 individual contributions as of May 31, meeting the itemization threshold of $200 or more, garnished $287,487,501 out of the total $295,525,889 total receipts. It was never grassroots- It was the Astroturf of big supporters. He pontificated on the evils of PACs, while accepting use in millions of soft money 527s, and 501’s. Obama needs fresh money-Clinton’s donors. This 40 year Liberal Democrat is not sending one dime to the Obama Campaign. Nor will I contribute to a DNC supporting Senator Obama’s untruthful financial position.
Put the Party back! Put the platform up! Let the Democratic Convention be Democratic! PUMAS rule!!!

[Hillary for Vice President]

If Obama selects Hillary for VP, I will vote for the ticket. If not, he will not get my vote.

It would still be historic to have the first woman VP. And beyond that, Hillary is the most quailified person for the job.

If Obama does not select Clinton for VP, it will be because he knows Hillary would be a better President and he is afraid that his inferiority will be exposed.

If Obama does select Clinton for VP, the Democrats will have an unbeatable team, and Obama will look stronger in the long run because he would be putting his ego aside and doing the best thing for the country.

Hillary for VP '08

[Barney Jones]

I'm kind of curious how much debt Clinton has left? They've been fundraising for a little while now.