by Mike Dorning
Sounding a bit like an audition for a role as a running mate, Hillary Clinton offered testimony to Barack Obama's allegiance to the U.S.-Israeli alliance as she appeared before the most influential pro-Israel lobbying group this morning.
The former first lady may not yet have conceded the Democratic nomination to Obama, but her words before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee provided conspicuous backing for his presidential bid before a constituency he had difficulty winning over in the the party primaries.
"I know Sen. Obama understands what is at stake here. It has been an honor to contest these primaries with him. It is an honor to call him my friend," Clinton said.
"And let me be very clear: I know that Sen. Obama will be a good friend to Israel," she continued.
"I know that Sen. Obama shares my view, that the next president must be ready to say to the world America's position is unchanging, our resolve unyielding, our stance non-negotiable: the United States stands with Israel, now and forever," she added.
"And let me underscore: I believe we need a Democrat in the White House next January because it's not just Israel that faces challenges in the 21st century. America does too," she said.
Its exactly the kind of personal endorsement that Clinton would be expected to deliver as a running mate--or a campaign trail surrogate.
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Comments
Ya gotta hand it to Hillary she is a shrewd manipulator. Obama's veiws on Israel are spot on and his point about the current U.S. foreign policy undermining the strength of Israel is well taken. Iraq reconciliation has to this point been a fantasy. Let's get out of that morass sooner rather than later. Obama 2008
Posted by: =S= | June 4, 2008 11:36 AM
Give it up, Senator Clinton !! You ran too good a campaign !! How do you expect Senator Obama to trust you, let alone, you to work for him ?!! New York surely needs your good abilities, as their Senator !! If you are still interested in the Presidency, try again in 4-8 years !! The office will still be there !!!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 4, 2008 11:43 AM
She needs to show something positive if she has even a remote chance of being on the ticket. I'd prefer somebody like Jim Webb or Chuck Hagel.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | June 4, 2008 12:21 PM
Core Hillary supporters will never vote for a ticket with Obama on top. This election was fixed and the media coverage was corrupt and propaganda from day one. Have fun till November, at which time Obama will be sent home to unite Illinois.
http://www.PresidentShe.com
Posted by: ladiesfirst | June 4, 2008 1:22 PM
Ugh!
Sommeone needs to drive a stake thru her heart and just get rid of her like any other vampaire / leech!
The US has had enough !
Obama needs to disance himself from her and and move on with being a real presidentail-caliber candidate!
Posted by: US Voter | June 4, 2008 1:34 PM
What i find unbelievable is how badly Obama supporters are behaving after he became the presumptive nominee. Even as a Clinton supporter, i applauded Obama's speech last night. He was absolutely correct in HIS statement that our country is better off for having Hillary in our party. The fact is is that the media(once again) has put their own spin on this whole VP issue. Hillary was asked the question by the press if she would consider accepting the VP slot and she answered the question honestly. Obama got it right last night by praising Hillary and her accomplishments for this party. It is time for his supporters to follow his lead and stop bashing, denigrating and demeaning Hillary and her supporters or you may not like tthe results come November.
Posted by: darrin | June 4, 2008 1:41 PM
Hillary Clinton is STUNNING!!!
You have just witnessed the greatest political campaign fight in American history. One for the textbooks, and the history books. Hillary Clinton fought her heart out against all odds to win for all of the American people . While at the same time doing her best to prepare Sen. Barack Obama to win in November if he was the nominee. STUNNING!!! WELL DONE HILLARY CLINTON. WELL DONE! Your AMAZING! :-)
Sen. Obama could not have had a better opponent than Hillary Clinton. Nor could he have had a better opponent to prepare him for the battle royal to come against John McCain and the Republicans ahead of the November elections. Hillary Clinton was like a big Mama cat determined to teach her kitten how to hunt, and hang with the big dogs for the fights ahead.
And how about Bill Clinton, Chelsea, and th whole Clinton team. They were magnificent. They really showed their metal. BRAVO! TEAM CLINTON... BRAVO!
And how about YOU! my fellow Americans. I'm so proud of you. And proud to be one of you. You showed what you are made of. And what makes America so great. You never gave up on your Champion Hillary Clinton. Time, and time again you eagerly waited your turn to vote for Hillary Clinton. To pick her up and pass her along down the line to the rest of your fellow Americans.
You never gave up on her. Just as Hillary Clinton never gave up on you. No matter how many times they counted her out. No matter how many times they brutally knocked her down. You knew she would get back up. And you were ready to support her when she did. AMERICA LOVES A FIGHTER. AMERICA UNDERSTANDS A FIGHTER. AMERICA IS A FIGHTER. I'M PROUD OF YOU AMERICA!
Hillary said she would accept the VP spot on the ticket if ask. And I am thrilled to hear that. I think it would be crazy not to take her up on that offer. You could not have a better VP than Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is Sen. Obama's best chance of winning the Whitehouse in November. And it is essential that the democrats take back the Whitehouse.
The American people are in a very desperate condition now. George Bush has wrecked America, and much of the world.
YOU MADE US VERY PROUD HILLARY CLINTON! :-)
WE LOVE YOU...
jacksmith... Working Class :-)
p.s. I really liked Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Minnesota. I think he just maybe ready now for the Bush Republican attack machine, dirty tricks, and vote fraud machine. :-)
Posted by: jacksmith | June 4, 2008 1:59 PM
Obama supporters had better hold their tongues and show some respect for Hillary and her supporters.
!8 million votes pack quite a wallop!
Posted by: jack | June 4, 2008 2:14 PM
"I will work my heart out for the nominee of the Democratic Party to make sure we have a Democratic president." Hillary Clinton
Didn’t you get the memo Hillary? Obama is the nominee!
Hillary, the Queen of Spin and a Legend in Her Own Mind!
http://klintons.com
Posted by: Bob | June 4, 2008 2:42 PM
Although Obama has a say in who will be his running mate, it is not his decision. The delegates awarded to HRC will be crucial to Obama being able to pick his mate. These are the rules.
Posted by: Fact time | June 4, 2008 2:58 PM
If he picks her as his running mate, he's stupid. He shouldn't be afraid, be of good courage, Obama, you don't need Hillary!! Choose someone else.
Posted by: RuthieM | June 4, 2008 4:09 PM
I dissagree re :" ...Sounding a bit like an audition for a role as a running mate...".
No, she's still condescending: "I know that Sen. Obama shares my view, ...".
Yes, she is after more than the VP slot. Hope BO does not choose her.
Posted by: Butler | June 4, 2008 6:40 PM