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Obama Asks Top Moneyfolks to Help Clinton Retire Her Debt

June 24, 2008 7:34 PM

ABC News has learned that on a conference call with his national finance team this afternoon, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, asked his top contributors to help Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, retire her more than $10 million in outstanding vendor debt. He did not specify an amount.

Clinton's debt has been a major point of contention as the two former rivals attempt to reconcile.

Clinton will appear at an Obama fundraiser Thursday night in Washington, D.C., and the two will campaign together in Unity, NH, on Friday.

- jpt

June 24, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (227)

User Comments

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Senator Clinton took a gamble with her husbands and other people's money long after any rational person would keep the campaign going and spending. She took a gamble 8 months ago when she affirmed that the Michigan and Florida votes would not count if the violated the rules ... until she realized that she would need them.

It seems she liked to gamble a lot at other people's expense. Infer what you will about what might have been if she made it to the White House.

Why should others have to pay her gambling debts?

Posted by: JoeC | Jun 25, 2008 8:56:46 AM

Nader a surprise. Is this a jocke?

Posted by: goDem | Jun 25, 2008 8:47:20 AM

McCain will probably die the first month in office so I guess we are really screwed no matter who we vote in.

Posted by: Big D | Jun 25, 2008 8:36:39 A
---------------------------------
I think Nader will be the surprise and the HISTOY record breaking NEW DEAL PRESIDENT.
Vote for Nader BIG D!

Posted by: HP Boston | Jun 25, 2008 8:42:05 AM

Posted by: Big D |
I agree. There is something there that's not right. My mom and I can't put my finger on it just yet.

Posted by: J | Jun 25, 2008 8:39:55 AM

Big D;
Gotta love your optimism. You have that kind of "can't do" spirit that would make a loser proud.

Posted by: Tommy Thompson | Jun 25, 2008 8:38:52 AM

You better hope Obama doesn't win this election. There is something about him that just isn't right. All I hear from Obama is, I will bring change. What change is that? A turn for the worse? I can't put my finger on it but he just carries himself like he has a hidden agenda. McCain will probably die the first month in office so I guess we are really screwed no matter who we vote in.

Posted by: Big D | Jun 25, 2008 8:36:39 AM

Helping to retire her debt will give him more donors or don't you people get that. Maybe she should just take the hit and keep away from this a$$.

Posted by: J | Jun 25, 2008 8:30:54 AM

It's so funny to see Republican gesticulating in their little fish bowl. They were so proud to say in 2000 and 2004 that Bush has raise so much money. Now that Obama raise the most money they are infuriated. Double standard? get over it, my friends ;-)

Posted by: goDem | Jun 25, 2008 8:19:13 AM

What this REALLY represents is the Clinton's demand for extortion money. What she's REALLY saying is "Obama, if you pay off all of my campaign debts, plus maybe a little extra for my effort, I'll convince my gullible voter base that maybe you really aren't such a bad guy after all. If you DON'T meet my demands, then I'll re-work the offer and hand my voters over to McCain. It's your choice!" SHE MAKES ME SICK, SICK, SICK!!

Posted by: Namako OH3 | Jun 25, 2008 7:09:29 AM

To Obama... NO! Let Hillary and Bubba head off to bankruptcy court if they have to. After all, she say's she's just one of us, right?

Posted by: Namako OH3 | Jun 25, 2008 7:05:16 AM

Hey,David stop lecturing integrity.What are you talking about? Are saying when some one tells a lie that there was firing when she arrived at the airport is integrity. Or when a first lady covers up for her husband when he is involved in a sexualy relationship with another woman? Get over it for heaven sake.

Posted by: Moses Lumu | Jun 25, 2008 6:52:03 AM

All the millions Bill makes and yet these people have no problem asking others to retire their debts. They did the same when they were faced with legal bills after they left the White House. Have they no shame?

Posted by: stop2think | Jun 25, 2008 6:37:55 AM

First of all, this is a blackmail by the Clintons, "If you don't bring some money over, we will make sure McCain wins".
This is probably the first time in national politics that a loser asks a winner to pay for the cost of TV commercials attacking the winner. What's next? If McCain loses, should he ask Obama pay for the campaign cost in the name of national unity after election?

Posted by: panabiker | Jun 25, 2008 6:37:51 AM

Let's not forget how much of her debt is owed directly to herself-- she chose to have her campaign "borrow" several million dollars of her own assets (I don't know what interest rate she charged her campaign for these loans). I wonder how much of what Obama ponies up will go straight into the Clintons' swelling accounts...

Posted by: David | Jun 25, 2008 6:21:56 AM

18 million people voted for hillary...almost the identical number of people who voted bho. bho call for help with hillary's debt is very self serving. if he encourages her debt paid, he figures he will buy her votes.
i will not vote bho in november for the same reason i did not for him in the primary. it is not a women issue, or a race issue. it is an integrity issue.

Posted by: tr | Jun 25, 2008 6:05:51 AM

This shows how a man called Obama is understanding and forgiving despite what the Clinton team said about him.He shows his humanly side and the Clinton supportes should stop attacking him.I fail to understand the so called women who threaten to support Mccain as if Mccain is a Woman.This make me wonder whether it is about women or race issues.

Posted by: Moses Lumu | Jun 25, 2008 5:55:16 AM

" I'm voting for McCain."

And I could care less.

Get over yourselves.

Posted by: Martin Amis | Jun 25, 2008 5:39:35 AM

Big fan of Obama, but whatever he asks Hillary is not getting one single cent from me.

Posted by: Napoleon Solo | Jun 25, 2008 5:30:28 AM

Stephen, your post is standard 'pro-life scare garbage". And it's medically complete bs.

Posted by: Spartakus | Jun 25, 2008 5:29:22 AM

Why should Obama pay for Clinton's ignorance. She knew she couldn't win for the last 2 months but she decided to press on anyway. She is the result of Rush Limbaugh asking republicans to vote for Hilliary. First she cried cause she lost the 1st primary. Second she cried about being asked to relent, which would've been fiscally responsible. Now she crying cause she decided to press on and waste more money. Obama pay for my debt and I and Slick Willy will endorse you. If the race was as close as she made it out to be, why is she so far behind money wise? Go away Hilliary!

Posted by: shove | Jun 25, 2008 5:01:22 AM

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