- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
Tensions Remain Among Clinton Donors
Email
ShareJune 27, 2008 7:40 AM
ABC’s Kate Snow reports: The crowd's mood was but strained but supportive at Thursday’s meeting between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and about 150 of Clinton’s top donors at a Washington hotel.
The former rivals appeared upbeat and spoke supportively and enthusiastically of each other in their 30 minute meeting. They were warmly received by the crowd, but several attendees said they couldn’t help but feel tension, even while they were likely to play supportive roles in Obama's race against Republican John McCain.
One major Clinton donor described it this way: "This felt like when your mom forces you to go visit your Aunt Ida and she has to pinch your cheeks and you're sitting there in an uncomfortable suit and you can't wait to leave."
Another Clinton-leaning person who was in the room said after the meeting wrapped up that there is still "a lot of anger" toward Obama among Clinton's wealthiest fans.
"It was pretty bad," this source said. He said donors were joking that the scene was like "an Irish wake" and that you "could cut the air with a knife" it was so tense in the room.
"He better go back to the internet," said one donor about the Democratic nominee’s fundraising tactics.
"Most people left there feeling he didn't connect," said the person who was in the room. However, when asked if the donors still might write a check to Obama, he conceded that it was entirely possible.
But some Clinton backers told ABC News the evening was a success in that Obama asked the Clinton backers for their support in his race against Republican John McCain and ‘it worked.’
Lester Hyman, a Washington lawyer, said: “It worked. You bet.”
Judith Barnett, also a Washington lawyer, added, “It worked and we’re going to raise money because there’s too much at stake. This is not a rehearsal.”
When Clinton spoke to the crowd, she acknowledged the tough primary battle but urged her supporters to rally behind Obama and the party’s campaign to win the White House in November.
"This was a hard-fought campaign," she continued. "That's what made it so exciting and intense and why people's passions ran so high on both sides. I know my supporters have extremely strong feelings, and I know Barack's do as well. But we are a family, and we have an opportunity now to really demonstrate clearly we do know what's at stake, and we will do whatever it takes to win back this White House."
When Obama spoke to the crowd he complimented Clinton on the race she ran and tried to pump up the crowd about the chances of Democrats winning additional Senate and House seats and winning the White House this fall.
"I recognize that this room shared the same passion that a roomful of my supporters would show. I do not expect that passion to be transferred. Sen. Cinton is unique, and your relationships with her are unique."
But he added, "Sen. Clinton and I at our core agree deeply that this country needs to change."
Obama made a direct appeal for support as he closed his remarks. "I'm going to need Hillary by my side campaigning during his election, and I'm going to need all of you."
Obama did address one of the major elephants in the room -- Clinton's enormous campaign debt, a source of remaining tension between the two camps.
Obama told the crowd that he has told his top financial backers "to get out their checkbooks and start working to make sure Sen. Clinton -- the debt that's out there needs to be taken care of."
That vow drew a standing ovation from the crowd.
Many Clinton donors are anxious to hear more about Clinton's future role in the Obama campaign. For example, will she have her own campaign plane to use for appearances? Will she speak at the Democratic convention in late August and when? They also want to know if Clinton's delegates will be allowed any kind of symbolic vote on the convention floor.
Asked tonight if there would be a roll-call vote at the convention in Denver, Clinton and Obama exchanged looks, with Clinton smiling, and said that was still being negotiated.
June 27, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (161)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Ah the devil is in the DETAILS!
Posted by: HP Boston | Jun 27, 2008 7:58:59 AM
I'm supportive of an Obama/Webb ticket. Hillary as a cabinet member and speaking at the Democratic convention. I don't think an Obama/Clinton ticket would win the GE. The Republican base is unenergized and lets leave it as it is.
Posted by: Vanessa | Jun 27, 2008 7:59:34 AM
Kate you are full of crap...Through other reports the majority of Clinton supporters were very happy and ready to unite but instead you pick out those two supporters to discuss. I swear ABC is becoming another Fox News...
Posted by: jd | Jun 27, 2008 8:09:44 AM
Vanessa,
Senator Webb has made some horrible remarks in the past about women. Putting him on the ticket would NOT be wise, given that Obama must attract Hillary's voters, who are largely women. McCain would play those clips over and over on ads. That would not be a good strategic choice.
Posted by: a reader in georgia | Jun 27, 2008 8:16:34 AM
It is going to take time folks. It has ONLY been 3 weeks.
McCain still hasn't shored up his base and he has been the Repub nominee for months.
Some of the Hillary donors will NEVER help out Obama because they are just bitter.
Others realize that the Supreme Court will totally become an extremist conservative one with possible 8 right wing judges that will overturn Roe vs Wade that they know that a Democratic president has to be in the White House in '08. As a result, they will help out Obama.
Posted by: Paul | Jun 27, 2008 8:17:43 AM
I don't see a lot of uniting between Clinton and Obama supporters. I still feel that many Clinton supporters will vote for McCain. Obama and his camp hurt not only Clinton, but her supporters as well with their hate and evil rhetoric. And now, since Obama talks out both sides of his mouth, many people are going for the GOP. I think a big mistake here, is that the DNC, Obama, his supporters, et. al., all think he has the Presidency sown up. I don't see it that way. And, he can't win without Hillary. Hillary still has her delegates and her supporters, many who will not unite. They talk of the Democratic Party being a family, however, its not. Obama made sure that this family split up this year. I think it would be a BIG mistake to vote for Obama. I don't like McCain that well either, however, the lesser of the two evils, this Democrats vote goes to McCain. I hope and pray that Hillary supporters will unite AGAINST OBAMA.....he's not in it for the sake of the party, but for himself and his messianic followers.
Posted by: Jack, Chicago, IL | Jun 27, 2008 8:21:29 AM
"'He better go back to the internet,' said one donor about the Democratic nominee’s fundraising tactics." I guess that's why he won, huh? That attitude was what got trumped by the silent majority. They didn't get the feeling that this time was different. They still believed in the old argument that big donors would dictate the pace. I hope they do not believe they can threaten him with respect to money. I mean, they couldn't beat him in the primary. Now that more people are coming over to donate, they believe holding their precious money will make all the difference? I hope they understand the meeting to be more symbolic than a literal need for money. President Clinton said he "never saw a candidate treated so disrespectfully just for running", but I've never seen a losing camp making so many demands.
Posted by: D | Jun 27, 2008 8:23:43 AM
They are in a position to make demands because he needs HER supporters in the end if he stands a chance. I do not see it happening. Every day something changes to make you like him even less. In an interview with Nancy Pelosi the other day she kept going on about BO's sound judgement & fresh ideas but then couldn't come up with one good example but it was pointed out to her of several bad decisions he had made! That is not the change I have in mind and he will not get my vote!
Posted by: rockthebleachers | Jun 27, 2008 8:34:02 AM
@ D:
Added to this the involvement of Obama with the Illuminati and catapulted him on the national scene. Do your research. Google Obama and Soros, Obama and the Illuminati. You will be amazed at the underground workings and dealings of your "so-called" presumptive nominee. I'm from Chicago. I know about Obama. He was bad news in Chicago and will be the same if he gets the presidency. Obama has a hidden agenda and is being controlled. I saw it in Chicago and seeing it now. I just wish America would pull the wool from over their eyes and see it. Go ahead and vote for this traitor, Obama. You will live to regret it, thats a promise!
Posted by: Jack, Chicago, IL. | Jun 27, 2008 8:34:03 AM
Do we really want his man as President?
Posted by: militarymom | Jun 27, 2008 8:11:47 AM
-------WHY NOT?
There are but a few good men..............
Posted by: HP Boston | Jun 27, 2008 8:37:17 AM
Thanks, Jack. I was just going to ask you your thoughts on BO's record up there in Chicago. (I'm down here in Indy.)
Posted by: rockthebleachers | Jun 27, 2008 8:39:41 AM
Before I cast a vote for either candidate I want to hear SPECIFIC plans on the energy crisis and how they will address it.
This country will be in a depression by nov and all we hear from the democrats is the developing love fest between Obama and Clinton. The democratic congress with Pelosi and Reid have done nothing with the help of Bush to help out families that are in deep trouble.
Maybe if more of these politicians were having to struggle like the rest of us, they would do SOMETHING.
Words and speeches aren't going to feed and heat my family this winter. McCain talking about religion and war isn't going to feed and heat my family either.
When all your basic necessities in life are taken away like food, heat, medicine and roof over your head, the other issues pale in comparison. But, that is exactly where some of the people in this country are at.
So the bottom line, do you really care if Clintons campaign debt gets paid off or whether the democrats can unite?
What's your priority?
Posted by: Be Independent | Jun 27, 2008 8:39:42 AM
@ HP Boston:
While in the primaries, Obama thought he would just waltz in and take the nomination. He never suspected the fight he would have on his hands from Hillary. I have said it all along, Hillary controls Obama. He can't win without her or her supporters. She is a very smart lady. Why do you think she kept her delegates, only suspended her campaign? And now, the question of the "roll call" at the convention. She is up to something and I hope and pray that she prevails. Anything to keep Obama out of the Presidency! I challenge all Clinton supporters to wait and see what Hillary does at the Convention......I think we will be pleasantly surprised. But whatever you do, if you have to, vote McCain.....the Dems are not a party this year, and will not be "united". You can thank the DNC, Pelosi, Obama, Kerry, Kennedy, Dean, and all the other idiots who have tried to brainwash America!
Posted by: Jack, Chicago, IL. | Jun 27, 2008 8:39:54 AM
'Jack, Chicago, IL.' ... You've got to admit, it was Sen. Clinton who thought she "...would just waltz in and take the nomination". Name recognition, money, political machine. But she didn't click with enough voters and couldn't put it away. Now is the time to unite. It's your choice... if you like the nation as it is today, then vote for McCain. If you want to see things get better, vote Obama.
Posted by: Champ | Jun 27, 2008 8:43:53 AM
Jack, Chicago, IL.
You have stated my fellings exactly. I will see what the DNC tries to shove down our throats at the convention. I am sure to vote McCain as I have no HOPE the DNC will CHANGE it's evil ways!
Posted by: HP Boston | Jun 27, 2008 8:46:32 AM
I think it was BO that couldn't put it away. Even after all that money he raised! The DNC forced him on us but I refuse to except him & will not vote for him! I will not unite.
Posted by: rockthebleachers | Jun 27, 2008 8:47:05 AM
You know... it's interesting to see the subliminals in today's 'Political Radar' stories. Lots of negative talk about Obama, but no hints of McCain's problems and missteps. I thought there was only ONE Fox News channel.
Posted by: Champ | Jun 27, 2008 8:47:48 AM
HP Boston, what planet are you from? Hillary was the presumptive nominee for years, it was Obama who was the underdog. Go ahead vote McCain, while gas prices continue to rise and our troops remain in harms way. I guess you have to get laid off from your job to get serious, that is if you have a job. I am glad Obama continues to take the high road, and if all you HRC supporters are so good, get your candidate out of debt. Rise up and say, "Hill you don't need charity, we'll raise what is necessary to get you in the black." Put your money where your mouth is!!!, then I will be able to respect ya!!
Posted by: SD | Jun 27, 2008 8:48:48 AM
Jack,
I thought about that too. She's been way too quiet! I hope we will be pleasantly surprised.
Posted by: J | Jun 27, 2008 8:53:26 AM
If the Democrats don't win this year. I really think that we won't win in 2012 either.
The Obama wing of the party will blame the Hillary wing and thus the Obama wing won't be voting for Hillary Clinton in 2012.
It will be PUMA part 2, the Obama wing version.
Democrats are DOOMED if they don't win this year.
Posted by: Paul | Jun 27, 2008 8:54:56 AM
Post a comment
