Opinion: Barack Obama and Bill Clinton: At least they’re talking

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DENVER -- Barack Obama was working the phones Thursday -- in addition to offering Joe Biden the second spot on his presidential ticket, he spoke with none other than Bill Clinton.

Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters today that the two, who we doubt are on each other’s fav five cellphone list, ‘had a broad-ranging conversation about the country and about the campaign.’

Without offering specifics, Psaki suggested that the former president -- who has not used his considerable political skills to actively promote Obama’s cause -- would become more of a team player as election day approaches.

‘We anticipate President Clinton having an important role in the fall,’ she said.

Clinton’s office, in a statement released Saturday, said much the same.

In announcing that he would be arriving in Denver on Tuesday in advance of his speech to the party’s convention Wednesday, the statement added that Obama ‘and his message of change have inspired millions around the country and President Clinton continues to be committed to doing whatever he can to ensure that Senator Obama is the next president of the United States. He looks forward to campaigning for the presidential candidate to ensure a Democratic victory in November.’

Bill Clinton always looks forward to campaigning -- it’s what comes naturally to him. But he has yet to give any real indication that when it comes to Obama, his heart will be in it.

Psaki also revealed that Obama spoke with Hillary Rodham Clinton on Friday (the day he was notifying several folks that they had not made his VP cut).

‘The truth is he speaks with them on a relatively frequent basis,’ she said.

-- Don Frederick

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