news
Home

WASHINGTON (AFP)

Hillary Clinton speaks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington on June 4. Clinton denied Thursday she was agitating to be named Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, as she prepared to pull the curtain down on her campaign.

Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton held a hush-hush meeting as Obama kicked off his campaign for the White House and amid speculation over his vice presidential pick.

"Senator Clinton and Senator Obama met tonight and had a productive discussion about the important work that needs to be done to succeed in (the election in) November," their campaigns said in joint statement, US media said.

No details were given on the issues discussed, but Clinton earlier denied she was agitating to be picked as Obama's vice president after his victory Tuesday in their epic battle for the Democratic White House nomination.

After promising to throw the full weight of her formidable support behind Obama at a farewell event on Saturday, Clinton disowned an orchestrated drive by some of her followers to force her onto Obama's ticket.

"While Senator Clinton has made clear throughout this process that she will do whatever she can to elect a Democrat to the White House, she is not seeking the vice presidency, and no one speaks for her but her," said her campaign.

"The choice here is Senator Obama's and his alone."

The brief statement made no mention of whether the New York senator would be willing to accept the job if it were offered.

Barack Obama addresses the policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) at the Washington Convention Center on June 4. Fallen White House contender Hillary Clinton denied Thursday she was agitating to be named Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, as she prepared to pull the curtain down on her campaign.

On Tuesday, as Obama clinched enough delegates to represent the party in November's election, Clinton told New York lawmakers that she was open to the idea of serving as his vice president.

Since then, some of her backers have been lobbying on her behalf, arguing that her support among working-class voters and women would guarantee a November sweep against Republican John McCain.

Noting Clinton's 18 million primary votes and victories in swing states, New York Representative Charlie Rangel told CBS that "we should expect a landslide if they had this dream ticket."

But Obama said he would not be bounced into a choice as a three-member team, including assassinated president John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline, began to vet vice presidential contenders on his behalf.

Interviewed by CNN Thursday, the Illinois senator reiterated a line he used repeatedly on the primary campaign trial: "Senator Clinton would be on anybody's shortlist."

He stressed, however: "What I've also said is, the vice presidency is the most important decision that I'll make before I'm president.

Democratic presidential hopeful Illinois Sen. Barack Obama addresses a town hall meeting at Virginia High School in Bristol, Virginia. Fallen White House contender Hillary Clinton denied Thursday she was agitating to be named Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, as she prepared to pull the curtain down on her campaign.

"I'm a big believer in making decisions well, not making them fast and not responding to pressure."

At a rally in Virginia Thursday, Obama paid tribute to Clinton and vowed to unify the party for the general election.

"I know we won't be divided because whatever differences between me and Hillary Clinton, they pale in comparison to the differences we have with the other side," he said.

Fallen White House contender Hillary Clinton, pictured in April 2008, denied Thursday she was agitating to be named Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, as she prepared to pull the curtain down on her campaign.

Following concerted pressure from some of her own backers frustrated at her refusal so far to bow out, Clinton announced she would end her dogged quest to be America's first female president at the weekend event in Washington.

"I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama," the former first lady said in a message to supporters.

"I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise."

Senator John McCain addresses the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on June 2. Fallen White House contender Hillary Clinton denied Thursday she was agitating to be named Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, as she prepared to pull the curtain down on her campaign.

As tearful staff at Clinton's campaign headquarters outside Washington dismantled their operations, there was some frustration at the belated nature of her concession.

Clinton had refused to concede even as Obama crossed the winning line of 2,118 delegates needed to win the nominating race.

Hitting the campaign trail on Thursday, Obama challenged voters in Virginia -- who have not backed a Democrat in the presidential elections since 1964 -- to break the mold and support him over McCain.

"This is our moment, this is our time, and if you will vote for me, I will win Virginia, we will win this election, and we will change the course of history," he said.

06/06/2008 09:09:19 UST

Search the web with Google