Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., center, arrive at a campaign stop Thursday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
by Lisa Anderson
NEW YORK--After pummeling each other on the campaign trail for the better part of a year and a half, Senators Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York stowed the brass knuckles and pulled out the olive branches Thursday. The challenge now is to persuade their supporters to do the same.
At a morning Manhattan fundraiser, a smiling Clinton, with presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Obama at her side, indicated the two are as in step with each other as the dancing team of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. "The Democratic Party is a family," however "dysfunctional," she reminded the audience.
But, given the former rivals' raw and recent past of ravaging each other on the campaign trail, it may take more than a tango to keep their passionately partisan supporters in tandem, according to political observers, conflict resolution experts and family therapists.
"Clearly, over this primary, many grievances have built up between these two groups," said Jo Ellen Patterson, a professor of marital and family therapy at the University of San Diego.
Grievances so deep that in May, when Obama's victory seemed inevitable, some 115 former Clinton donors made substantial contributions to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona, according to an analysis done by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics for the Wall Street Journal. And, disgruntled Clinton supporters have put up Internet sites in protest, such as Together4us.com.
Read the full story on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in today's Chicago Tribune.
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Comments
Is the swamp ready to acknowledge that Obama forgot to even mention Clinton at an event that was supposed to be about "unity" yet?
Posted by: Jeff | July 11, 2008 10:55 AM
How about reporting some real family issues, like McCain obtained an Arizona marriage license on March 6, 1980, while still legally married to his first wife. What a disgrace to all who value family. Nice of the mainstream media to ignore it.
Posted by: Paul | July 11, 2008 11:39 AM
I propose a boycott of any Swamp discussion lead off by another bellicose post by 'Jeff.'
Posted by: Kit S. | July 11, 2008 11:43 AM
I would have more respect for Hillary if she had just abstained from the election and not done an about face and supported Obama, someone she knows is unqualified and a danger to this nation. I wish she had run as an independent, but she has too many debts, I guess. They don't like each other. Why pretend? At least she was running for President and you knew her beliefs. Obama is running for King and talking out both sides of his mouth, much to the chagrin of his liberal supporters. Where does he stand on an issue? Any where and every where.
Posted by: speak the truth | July 11, 2008 12:08 PM
I said from the beginning that I would support whoever won the primary. I preferred Obama but would have no problem voting for Hillary. Obama is not going to win over a percentage of ardent Hillary supporters, he knows that. But he can at least try, just as he can try to win over some evangelicals, some independents, and even some republicans. I like him and I think he'd make a good, thoughtful president. I think Hillary will have an important role in his cabinet if she wants that. All a person can do is reach out and try. No vitriole here.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | July 11, 2008 12:22 PM
Obama is not running for President, he is running for King. Not only is he dividing the democratic party but he is now dividing the Germans. Since when does a candidate for President campaign in a foreign country? What does it take for Obama supporters to see the arrogance of this person? They think his presidency would raise the stature of the US in the world. Kruschev said that the Russians would not have to take down America, it would be done from within. Obama would be a disaster if we premitted him to become President. If Hillary does not come away from Denver as the rightful nominee, we will do everything we can to see that John McCain becomes President.
Posted by: lee,sarasota | July 11, 2008 3:58 PM
I just realized why Obama can't consider Hillary for VP. Everytime that they appear together, voters are reminded that they nominated the wrong one.
Posted by: ElliotNC | July 11, 2008 5:12 PM
She has the right to be on the first ballot at the DNC Convention. She has the right to have speeches on her behalf. She has the right to a roll call vote. She is still a candidate. Trust is earned. He doesn't have it.
Posted by: roofingbird | July 11, 2008 6:47 PM
Hillary campaign had it right when they said that Obama was unfit for the presidency and even an unfit senator.
Posted by: Nick | July 12, 2008 12:03 PM