June 4th, 2008
07:15 AM ET
11 years ago

Preston: Top Clinton supporters ready to help Obama

The big question now: Will Clinton offer her full support to Obama?


NEW YORK (CNN) – Over the next several days, one of the main questions will be how much help Hillary Clinton will offer Barack Obama in his effort to win back the White House, which has been under Republican control ever since her husband Bill Clinton left office in January 2001.

Two top Clinton supporters told me Tuesday evening they are ready to get behind Obama once the New York senator officially acknowledges that her Senate colleague has won the nomination.

James Carville said he is ready to open up his wallet to help Obama build a political warchest to take on John McCain in November.

“As soon as she gets out I am going to write him a check,” Carville said.

Clinton campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe said earlier in the day – prior to CNN projecting that Obama clinched the nomination – that he too would help out the Illinois senator.

“If he is the nominee, listen, I will help,” McAuliffe said. “I have helped Democrats now for 30 years, and I will continue to do so.”

Carville and McAuliffe both predicted that the two Democratic rivals would join together to help unify the party, but Carville noted that there needs to be a healing process as the party prepares for the general election.

“I think the easiest Democrat to win over is Senator Clinton,” Carville said. “She will be as helpful as she can be.”

But Carville also said that the burden to bring the party together needs to be a joint effort, noting that feelings from this competitive primary are “still kind of raw.”

“She is going to do her part, and he is going to have to do his part to,” Carville said.

Carville is a CNN contributor.

McAuliffe predicted that Clinton and Obama “are going to work very close together,” adding that “They both need each other.”

soundoff (197 Responses)
  1. go for obama

    It is strange that why clinton did not acknowledge obama victory. I remember Mike Huckabe immediately acknowledging victory of McCain as soon as he hit the minimum delegate count. It looks to me that Hillary just wants the white house, no matter what. During her campaign, she used every right and wrong way to get nomination. She did negative campaign to its extreme. She tried to change the rules and regulations of Democratic party just to get nomination. I wonder if she cared about florida and michigan people, why did she not protested earlier when florida and michigan were announced to be violating the rules and punished. It is only because she was losing now, so she tried to use this trick to get nomination. A good sportsman is who plays the game fairly and admits the defeat gracefully. I hope she will show the qualities of a good sportsman.

    June 4, 2008 12:04 am at 12:04 am |
  2. robert sorenson

    The Clintons cite sexism against Hillary. I just haven't seen it. For as much as I would love to see a woman in the White House- that title will not necessarily fall to Hillary. What's with all the crocodile tears? This campaign was about looking beyond gender and race. So many people seem to have wound up wallowing in it. BE HEALED!

  3. Todd Grosh

    Hillary needs to get off her high horse and concede.The math proves she lost.The DNC seated the delegates from Florida and Michigan.All the candidates agreed with the DNC to punish both states from the get go.Obama wasn't even on the ballet in Michigan.In fact only Hillary and Dodd were on it.So how could it have been a fair election..Lets move on.Sorry Clinton Fans but it's over.......You'll vote for Obama after you watch a couple of the Obama/Mcain debates!!!!

  4. sunni

    my amazement at hillary clinton and her behavior in the past few months has reached new heights.

    that she was so selfish and entitled as to ignore (and therefore, negate in her world) the incredible historical significance of an african -american roundly securing the democratic party's nomination, suggests that she cannot be trusted. it certainly gives me pause to wonder what exactly the clinton's truly stand for.

    it makes believing in bill's legacy (hillary's vicariously) very difficult. what was his presidency about? what has any of their service to the american people been about? how in the world could either of them possibly be considered authentic or sincere?

    hillary presents as an embittered old woman, unable to be gracious in defeat, throwing a grown-up temper tantrum because she has not gotten her way. i planned to vote for her until she began acting in such a pathetic, unseemly way.

    i do not trust her, and i do not believe she has been wronged: she's simply been out-politicked. her math (regarding the popular vote) only works if there are states or caucases that aren't counted... it's just sad.

    she is hurting the party because she's too proud and selfish to concede and do what's best for the party. hillary has lost ALL credibility with me, and clearly is doing what she believes is best for HER, not the american people.

  5. Indiana Voter

    Hillary did great damage not only to herself tonight but to the feminine cause as well. What some of her supporters are overlooking is not everyone who voted for her would ever vote for her again after the behavior she and her ardent supporters have displayed. This country is about all of the people, not just a handful of women who feel left out. Shakespeare said it best, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Hillary has lost touch with a lot of us whose votes she would need to win the presidency!

    Finally, Obama, whether you like it or not, won the most pledged delegates as well as superdelegates and under some scenarios, even won the popular vote. Therefore, this election was fair. Hillary lost because she ran a poor campaign and Barack ran a great campaign.

  6. Renee, Seattle WA

    As an African American, I'm shocked and dismayed at Senator Clinton's speech. Regardless of the division she has caused in this race or the diplomacy Senator Obama has shown her through out this campaign she would choose such a great day to trash her legacy and that of her husband Bill! She speaks of being there for the 18 million voters, but she forgets about the other states...who voted for Obama. She complained about sexism, racisim and other crap. I'm hurt as a former voter of the Clinton legacy. Her husband has shocked me multiple times through out the campaign. It is crazy! Claiming cheating, and other obnoxious stuff. WOW, I can really see old politics at work. She is out of line, disrespectful and arrogant. WOW!

  7. Will

    To all those Hillary supperters who say they will vote for McCain, that is fine if you choose to do so, But don't say you are a Democrat go sign up for the Republican Party. The Rules Committee made there decision, alot of people may not agree, but don't act like babies about it. Life is about disappointment so get over it. I've been a Dem all my life and I have loyalty to the party I believe in. So cut the crap either your a dem or you are not, don't be a dem just when it is convenient.

  8. Shirley

    Women need to listen carefully. Crossing over and voting for McCain will led to women all over the country loosing rights and freedoms they have fought for for years. More republicans on the supreme court would be a disaster for women. Forget the Hillary / Obama thing, think about the country as a whole. Vote for the democrate.

    June 4, 2008 12:09 am at 12:09 am |
  9. Sally

    Did them prepare resume? why Hillary's people feel them so entitle?
    They ran so badly compaign ,how can Obama hire them ?

    June 4, 2008 01:03 am at 1:03 am |
  10. Janey for Hillary/McCain

    Stop the threats of Roe versus Wade, Obama supporters–that will not change–I see Obama supporters are as insulting as usual. I can't believe Obama can not make up a new speech-same speech over and over and over. Nothing new here. I believe McCain is much more qualified and will be voting for him in Nov. Call me anything you want–you may call me an Independent American. Since when does an American have to be loyal to an underhanded DNC who steals votes. My vote will be counted in November for John McCain as it was stolen in the primary in Mich by Donna Brazille.

    June 4, 2008 08:38 am at 8:38 am |
  11. Maggie

    I'm so sick of all the anti-Clinton comments. Why don't all you Obama supporters listen to your own candidate who stated that Clinton is a leader, a great member of the Democratic Party, etc. in his speech last night? You claim to want change and to unify the party, which is what your own candidate has been saying throughout this process, yet you yourselves continue to post horrible comments about her. What hypocrits you are. Yes, Clinton has political goals. So what? Doesn't every politician have political goals (Obama included)? If you think not, then you are even more of a hypocrit. So Clinton didn't concede last night – so what? She confirmed last night that she had more popular votes and her supporters deserve to be heard. Yes, I know that the popular vote "doesn't count" but it does show that she was a very viable candidate who isn't going to just be swept under the rug as all so many Obama supporters seem to want. I am a Clinton supporter, but as it stands now I will vote for Obama in November to get the democrats in office, mostly because we need a democrat in the Supreme Court. If Clinton is not selected as VP, then she will be in some other position of power, perhaps as Supreme Court Justice or Secretary of HHS. Clinton is a great politician and she is here to stay. So quit your complaining about her and acknowledge that fact.

    June 4, 2008 08:42 am at 8:42 am |
  12. Texas Voter

    All the people who are posting they will vote for McCain because Hillary did not get the nomintation are acting like idiots. Are you a democrat? If so, then act like one. The popular vote strategy is another weak attmept. Not all states "popular votes" are counted in the party's numbers. Look up Washington St.. She did not have more votes. Obama beat her in every category. As for Florida & Michigan, they broke the rules. What do you teach your children. It's okay to break the rules when it benefit's you? Is this what you teach them. I do not like Hillary after the way she has run her campaign, but I would not be upset if she if the VP candidate. Just please tell Bill to shut up and sit in the corner. He's shown his true colors (as Hillary has) during this nomination process. You want to help bury America, vote for McBush, you want to change America, vote for Obama and the Democratic party.

    June 4, 2008 08:57 am at 8:57 am |
  13. Chris

    Superdelegates should be banned or go with their state, another hanging chad and americas voise was not heard.

    June 4, 2008 09:00 am at 9:00 am |
  14. Doron


    June 4, 2008 10:49 am at 10:49 am |
  15. Race is not Over

    Its not About Hillary or Obama its about American people.


    If you care about American people be unbiased and post this.

    Obama is not the nominee until all superdelegates are declared.

    To Undeclared Superdelegates:

    Obama shouldn't be and will not be the nominee if democrats want to win the White House. Do the electrol Math and not the pledged delegate Math. Then question yourself who is a better and stronger candidate to win the White House.

    If you do not do the map Math right and endorse Obama then "Democratic Party is committing suicide". Then John McCain will take the white house. The result of this will be that you will make the American people suffer for a day to day life for another 4 or 8 years as we are doing now with Bush's Administration.

    If (Obama is the Nominee)
    then Bush administration= McCain Administration
    American People = "suffer for day to day life"

    Go Hillary 2009-20016!!!!!! We need you at this time of Crisis!!

    June 4, 2008 11:50 am at 11:50 am |
  16. The People


    FROM: The People

    Please note: The race is over. Barack Obama won. Please turn out the lights on your way out.

    The People

  17. Jack

    Clinton backers who are party officials won't be enough to help Obama.... Obama needs the votes of Clinton Democrats (actual voters) who are ready to get behind McCain over Obama

    June 4, 2008 12:14 pm at 12:14 pm |
  18. dion

    Why hasn't anyone realized Hillary's main objective in staying in the race? Yes she probably wants the VP slot but she doesn't have to stay in the race for that,as long as her campaign is active she can still raise money for it. Her campaign is in debt and she loses all of her personal funds($20 million by some estimates) she invested if she doesn't recoup them by August. So that final call to visit hillaryclinton.com to tell her what she should do & help anyway you can was a call to get donations.

    June 4, 2008 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |
  19. e.j. mohammed

    I do not understand how Hillary supporters can say they will vote for McCain his platform is opposite of what her s is! Her historical running is just as historical as Obama's . Her campaign will have been run in vain if her voters abandon the party she has fought all her political career for! That's not respecting her or what she's fighting for. I'm sure she will be out in whatever capacity she's is called to campaigning for the nominee and for the party that she so loves. Please no McCain we have enough alienation with the current administration!
    E.J. a Democratic supporter

    June 4, 2008 12:31 pm at 12:31 pm |
  20. semajdun

    First I am very proud of Obama. Secondly, for all those peoples who say that they will never vote for Obama because Clinton was not the nominee this will be a sad time in america history all because peoples (Americans) can't won't put their pride aside and do what's right for our country. It's amazing that the people who call themselves try american can't come together as americans and support Obama.

    THEY WOULD RATHER ELECT JOHN MCCAIN whose willing to allow us to go through four more years of suffering through gas increases, mortgages forclosurers, food prices increases, our troops overstaying the tour then united behind Obama, ALL I CAN SAY IS SHAME TO ALL YOU. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR EVERYDAY AND SEE THAT YOU COULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE, BUT CHOOSE NOT TOO BECAUSE OF YOUR PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS, THEN YOU ONLY HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME.

    June 4, 2008 12:36 pm at 12:36 pm |
  21. DNC

    really wish that we could come together as Americans. The results of the campaign are now final, and Barack Obama is the Democratic Nominee, accept it and move on. Hilary Clinton ran an excellent campaign, and Congrats are in order for her, but there is still so much work to be done in order to begin the "Change" that Senator Obama so often speaks of. It really saddens me to know that so many of you are so vindictive that you would actually switch parties and vote Republican, just because Senator Clinton did not win. If this is your attitude now, then you were never true Democrats anyway. Senator Obama followed every rule, ran a clean campaign and won, how can you be upset with that? Floridians, Please, For The Love of God understand that your state broke the rules and you had to suffer the same penalties that any other state would have been held to in the same situation. Who are you to be upset with having half a vote, when they could have stuck to their guns and given you none? Lets put the negative behind us all and move forward.

    June 4, 2008 12:42 pm at 12:42 pm |
  22. Miss B in Texas

    All of you OBAMA haters guess what, according to the polls OBAMA's percentages are higher than McSame even without you. It will be harder to win the presidency....but it can be done! YES WE CAN...YES WE DID....YES WE WILL DO! I know all of you Hilbilly's were just waiting on an excuse not to vote for OBAMA any excuse, see how cool he is, he has worked that out for you so that you can have a reason to vote republican. I hope you know that the Republicans do not want you either. The18 million supporters for HilBilly should really think about going independent. I think that is the answer for you. WE AS DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT YOU EITHER...GOOD RIDDANCE. HILLARY IS MAKING IT VERY HARD FOR ALL WOMEN WITH HER CRYING AND WHINING. GIVE IT UP GIRL.


    June 4, 2008 01:39 pm at 1:39 pm |
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