President Clinton to hit campaign trail for Obama

Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:36 PM EDT
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Barack Obama revealed Wednesday that former President Clinton, once the presidential nominee's nemesis, will campaign for him during the weeks leading up to Election Day.

"There's nobody smarter in politics," Obama said on CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," scheduled to air Wednesday night. "And he is going to be campaigning for us over the next eight weeks, which I'm thrilled by."

The two were scheduled to have lunch Thursday at Clinton's office in New York. Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said the former president would campaign for Obama at a yet-to-be announced site in Florida on Sept. 29, with plans for more fundraising and events in the works.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton already has been hitting the trail for Obama.

During the Democratic presidential primary, the former president acted as his wife's chief defender from Obama's successful challenge to her candidacy, which strained relations between him and Obama. Clinton portrayed Obama as too inexperienced for a presidential run, and Obama said sometimes it was hard to tell which Clinton he was running against.

The two didn't speak for nearly a month after the campaign ended, but their silence ended when Obama called and the former president offered to do whatever he could to help Obama win.

Obama said there are parallels between his campaign against Republican John McCain and Clinton's 1992 race against incumbent GOP President George H.W. Bush. He said both came during tough economic times.

"He was young and people were still trying to figure out whether or not the guy was up to the job," Obama said of Clinton. "And so I think having him talk about why we need to change the economy in a fundamental way so it works for middle-class families so that they can get ahead, so that they can send their kids to college, I think he'd be a great advocate to have on behalf of the campaign."

Letterman asked Obama if he would consider Bill Clinton for a Cabinet position if he wins.

"I think if you are a former president, you don't take Cabinet positions," Obama said to laughter from the audience. "I think it's sort of been there, done that. It's sort of like getting Mickey Mantle to play AAA. You don't do it. But obviously you consult with him as often as you can, because, look, there are only a handful of people who have actually done the job."

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":2869585,"authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
not over it

It is about time Obama got with Clinton. He needs him now more than ever. I hope it's not too late.

{"commentId":2869585,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"tishamauro"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:57 PM EDT
{"commentId":2870504,"authorDomain":"dbourdeau"}
Diane B.

He forgot to say there is only one person alive that has done it well, and that viners is Bill Clinton.

{"commentId":2870504,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"dbourdeau"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:11 PM EDT
{"commentId":2870778,"authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}
R. Donald Snyder

It's about damn time Bill!

{"commentId":2870778,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:31 PM EDT
{"commentId":2871213,"authorDomain":"zdrakes"}
Darkwood

Bill Clinton was a brilliant President. He looks even more brilliant in contrast to the...very poor example of a leader who has been in office for the last 8 years. The American people need Bill Clinton to speak to us as only he can. Taking nothing away from Obama who is a rising star, but the people know they can trust President Clinton. President Clinton cares about this country even more than he cares about his own libido and he will come on strong.

{"commentId":2871213,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"zdrakes"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:03 PM EDT
{"commentId":2873144,"authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}
R. Donald Snyder

I proudly voted for him twice and would gladly do it again if I could. I must say though that the best thing that ever happened to Bill's legacy was George W. Bush. If Dubya the Idiot had followed Carter then Carter would be on the one dollar bill by now and have his face on Mt Rushmore.

{"commentId":2873144,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"rdonaldsnyder"}
  • 2 votes
#4.1 - Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:32 AM EDT
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{"commentId":2872807,"authorDomain":"prosperity2un2000"}
Neesy08

WONDERFUL!! Perfect timing!!!

Clinton can really energize a already highly energized base!

{"commentId":2872807,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"prosperity2un2000"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:01 AM EDT
{"commentId":2873860,"authorDomain":"cubiased"}
superg-502969

Bringing Bill and Hillary back to the Obama camp only re-enforces that Obama has been cracked by the GOP. Bringing the Clintons back shows his weak state of mind.

Good to see Obama under pressure, is this what his going to do if he was elected president? run around begging the Clintons for help when pressure or a crisis hits?

I guess it's true when people say, character is shown under pressure. Obama is showing a weak one to say the least. No matter how much the Clintons support him, the Clintons will not be on the presidential ticket in November.

Pritz

{"commentId":2873860,"threadId":"354572","contentId":"1851496","authorDomain":"cubiased"}
    Reply#6 - Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:38 AM EDT
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