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Clinton Calls on Nurses to Back Obama

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June 26, 2008 12:48 PM

ABC News' John Santucci Reports: In her first public event since losing the Democratic primary, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton attacked the healthcare plan proposed by Sen. John McCain, and promised she would continue to fight for healthcare reform.

"It is absolutely unbelievable that the healthcare plan he has proposed would cause millions of hardworking Americans to lose the coverage they already have," Clinton said during a speech to the American Nurses Association convention in Washington, DC on Thursday. "So what ever issue you care about, what ever your passion may be, we have to join together and present a united front."

Hundreds of nurses cheered Clinton and held "Hillary for President" signs and wore "Hillary" pins.

During the primary campaign Clinton proposed mandated universal healthcare coverage for all Americans, and bashed then-rival Sen. Barack Obama's plan to create a national health insurance program for those who do not have employer-provided health, and mandate coverage for children. McCain has proposed "market-based solutions" to move away from employer-based coverage to insurance bought by individuals.

Clinton said many nurses came to her presidential campaign events. "Time and time again I expressed my appreciation to our nurses," she said. "While you and those you represent are working hard for us I don’t think we in Washington are working nearly hard enough for you."

The former first lady called on the group that had originally endorsed her "to do everything you can to help elect Barack Obama."  The ANA has not officially endorsed Obama. 

"I have seen his passion and determination and his grip and his grace, and in his own life he has lived the American dream," she said of Obama.

Clinton will be campaigning with the presumptive Democratic nominee Friday in Unity, New Hampshire, a town name she called "very appropriate."

"It is so remarkable and I am very proud of the Democratic Party and I'm very proud of my country that an African American and a woman were competing," she said.   

The New York senator promised the group she would continue to be an advocate for healthcare reform.

"I've been actively involved in America's politics in one way or another for, I'd hate to confess, 40 years.  Please, call out ask me how old I am?"

June 26, 2008 in Bush, George W., Hunter, Duncan, Kucinich, Dennis, Veepstakes | Permalink | User Comments (122)

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Clinton may look as if she is supporting Obama, however, she did not give him her delegates when she suspended her campaign. Clinton has another agenda, one that will come forth at the Convention in Denver.

Posted by: david from texas | Jun 26, 2008 12:54:10 PM

It's another small step in Hillary's ongoing efforts to embrace Obama.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by: matt | Jun 26, 2008 1:02:34 PM

The obligatory daily "Clinton post".

Now we can read the same comments that are posted on every "Clinton blog".

Oh joy.

Posted by: Remington | Jun 26, 2008 1:09:53 PM

listen up people yor not just electing a president your electing an administration and you can bet your bottom dollar hillary will be part of that somewhere someway vote for mccain and guess what NO HILLARY!!!!

Posted by: angie | Jun 26, 2008 1:12:01 PM

Sorry Hillary, no can do. I simply don't trust Obama, he is already becoming John Kerry by waffling way too much, and I just can't get past the arrogance of he and his campaign. He said what he needed to in order to win the primary, now he's switching gears right and left (no pun intended, but he's heading for the middle now to win the general)

Posted by: dc | Jun 26, 2008 1:52:27 PM

Hillary is a smart person who does her homework. Having her serve in some way on Obama's administration would be nothing but a huge plus. So to vote for a guy like McCain who has nothing but the same old tired Republican bone to throw at you just because Hillary might serve on the Obama team is about the dumbest thing I can think of.

Posted by: Jake | Jun 26, 2008 1:59:09 PM

The only thing I have seen Obama change his mind about is campaign finance. The only reason McCain wants him to accept public financing is so he can pull Obama down to his level. Back when he talked about campaign financing he had no idea how well things were going to work with him getting the American people to finance his campaign through small donations. So naturally he changed his mind. Anybody would including McCain. So if you want the same old tired flip flopping, nothing to offer, always looking out for the fat cats like Bush then vote for McCain. But I think we can do better with Obama.

Posted by: Jake | Jun 26, 2008 2:05:23 PM

David in order for her to release her delegates she has to officially suspend her campaign

in which case she doesnt get to try to raise more money to get rid of the debt she incurred.

If you think shes going to come back and somehow get the nomination

your more then way off base, your in a swimming pool, the ball fields fifteen hundred miles away.

John mccain not being the republican nominee is far more likely then hillary becoming the nominee for the dems

Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 26, 2008 2:12:09 PM

David, will, dc,

Did you read the article? did you understand it? A vote for McCain is taking away health benefits from our employers and putting them fully in the hands of the insurance companies, We will no longer be able to have our employers pay for part of our health insurance,

I just went through this with my divorce, I had just returned to the workforce and my ex had just changed jobs so neither of us qualified for insurance for our son, yet we had to carry it, so we went through an insurance company, health insurance for our then 3 yr old with NO health problems was 200 + a month with a $20 co-pay at the Dr office and a annual deductible of $1000, that did NOT include prescriptions and did not include dental or vision.

Once I had been on the job long enough to qualify for health benefits my insurance for both of us ( through the same company) was $120 a month and a $15 co-pay for Dr visits and a $500 annual deductible, that included dental and vision.

This is what McCain calls a health care plan.

Posted by: Get Real | Jun 26, 2008 2:15:20 PM

We miss you Hillary. Nice job with the 18 million vores - more than anyone has EVER received in a primary.

2012!

Posted by: ch | Jun 26, 2008 2:18:59 PM

Pay attention Americans, here it is again in excerpts: "It is absolutely unbelievable that the healthcare plan he has proposed would cause millions of hardworking Americans to lose the coverage they already have," Clinton said during a speech to the American Nurses Association convention in Washington, DC on Thursday."

"McCain has proposed "market-based solutions" to move away from employer-based coverage to insurance bought by individuals."

Posted by: wooha3 | Jun 26, 2008 2:40:31 PM

No No No Hillary, This is absolutely disgusting on your part. you yourself pointed out Obamas lack of experience, and shady associations. You yourself said that you, and John McCain had a clear record to stand on, and that all Barack Obama had, was a speech. This is appalling, and you are the same.you have lost all respect from me. The DNC did you dirty, and so did OBama, and you go right back to doing their dirty deeds? Unbelievable I will surely vote for McCain. Obama has been out of the question since the day he joined a racist church, and remanined there for 20 years.

Posted by: Badger1 | Jun 26, 2008 2:44:09 PM

Badger1, if you don't want her speaking for Obama, and I don't either, help her raise the money to pay off her debt and let her start working for the next time. Or, just in case Obama bombs before the convention, she can be ready for this time. It would only take a few dollars from her 18 million supporters to pull her out of this.

Posted by: Ron | Jun 26, 2008 2:56:40 PM

Ron - The Clintons have plenty of money, plenty of investments, and plenty of rich friends. If she is selling her soul to the Obama campaign for money to pay off a debt, then she is no better than he. She should stand strong in her conviction, and principles. Instead she is pimping her self out to a lying, dangerous, sexist, racist politician, all to help pay off a debt? As Bill Clinton would say, "GIVE ME A BREAK, This whole thing a fairytale". The last person she should be trying to help is Barack Hussein (the creep) Obama.

Posted by: Badger1 | Jun 26, 2008 3:08:14 PM

"No No No Hillary, This is absolutely disgusting on your part. you yourself pointed out Obamas lack of experience, and shady associations. You yourself said that you..." blah blah, have you ever thought about it that maybe your candidate Clinton was just saying whatever she had to say to win and maybe she's the liar.

http://www.ReElectBarackObama.com

If a Democrat votes Republican can that person still be called a Democrat? Voting against your own interest as a woman is simply stupid. Go vote for McCain, he needs you.

Posted by: chrisnba | Jun 26, 2008 3:10:42 PM

chrisnba - I already know Hillary is a liar. BUT, she wasnt lying about Obama, that is for sure. McCain 4 President.

Posted by: Badger1 | Jun 26, 2008 3:12:54 PM

Would all you cynical conspiracy-minded haters just lay of the Clintons, HRC AND BO once and for al!!. As a life long Democrat I cannot see the point of splitting up the party with all of this hate and vitriol you are directing towards the candidate you didn't support. And as for the fool McCain supporters out there, if ANYBODY is guilty of ruining this country it's the Republican party. So leave go of your hate fellow Dems, open your eyes Repubs, and let's come together, like HRC and BO are trying to do, and make some changes for the better!

Posted by: Patriot Lady | Jun 26, 2008 3:24:09 PM

I can not back Obama because I just can not get past his flip flopping and I can not trust a man that is so far left as Obama is. He changes his mind with the wind. He has already started using the race card and I think this will backfire on him. Sorry Hillary I would have voted for you but I can not vote for Obama he is just not trustworthy. More power to PUMA.

Posted by: s4bo | Jun 26, 2008 3:24:32 PM

patriot lady - Sorry but this primary process brought all of the filth of the democratic party to the forefront.From the DNC to the Rules and Bylaws comittee, to Hillarys delusional "sniper fire" account to the Obamas 20 year BLC membership. Obamas broken promises, lack of credible experience , far left ideology, etc etc etc. The Dems are a disgrace, from Dean to Pelosi, to Dodd, and Obama. Their push to get Hillary out of the race weeks before the final state had even voted, proved that they arent about the people, but about their own greedy agenda. They disgust me.

Posted by: Badger1 | Jun 26, 2008 3:38:29 PM

Badger1, To some extent I agree, except that it is my understanding that her donors have maxed out, and she is already losing $11 million of her own money. I think she is considering the lessor of two evils. She has no chance of getting any of her platform passed with McCain in office. Maybe some with Obama. She is a party supporter even with the present leadership. She is absolutely the most qualified to lead the country and now we are faced with two unqualified pretenders. Rest assured, Hillary Clinton is doing whatever she thinks is best for the COUNTRY regardless of what the Obama and Republicans say.

Posted by: Ron | Jun 26, 2008 3:47:47 PM

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