Clinton and Obama team up in election year
Despite President Obama’s victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, former President Bill Clinton and President Barack Obama put the tension behind them to partner up in a Democratic re-election campaign on Sunday, making it the first time the two have teamed up in 2012.
Sunday evening in northern Virginia marks the first of three appearances together for Obama’s campaign.
The alliance could be beneficial for both during the election year. For Obama, the partnership helps remind voters of the thriving economy under a Democrat-ran White House during the Clinton administration. Furthermore, Clinton remains a popular political voice for Democratic supporters and could potentially boost fundraising support for the 2012 election, Reuters reported. For Clinton, stronger political ties with President Obama allows him to be an influence on the party he led for two presidential terms.
Last Friday, the campaign released a video of Clinton complimenting Obama on the raid he led to the death of Osama Bin Laden.
“It makes absolutely clear that, to the extent that there were different wings of the Democratic party, there is now one wing of the Democratic party,” Chris Lehane, a supporter of Clinton said. “And it’s the president’s party.”
The Associated Press stated that Clinton’s support for Obama could help his wife, Hillary Clinton, become a strong candidate for the 2016 race, despite her denials of being a potential candidate. Since her time as Secretary of State, her popularity has grown tremendously. Now with all three being in the spotlight, Democrats believe this has put Obama at an advantage over the likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney.
“There is no better Democratic ally than President Clinton,” Jim Messina, Obama’s campaign manager said.
