In name of unity, Ausman backs Clinton

Posted: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 4:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The man who, on Saturday, presented a challenge to the DNC's rules committee for seating Florida's delegation confirms to NBC NEWS that he is lending his superdelegate vote to Clinton.

"Sen. Obama's already got the nomination," Florida's Jon Ausman told NBC NEWS. "I want to send a small message with my half vote that we need to be unified."

And by unified, Ausman said he would like to see Obama put Clinton on the ticket. "He needs to make some efforts there," Ausman said.

Ausman did have some harsh words for Clinton aide Harold Ickes' reaction after the rules committee's Michigan decision.

"That was someone who just got their butt handed to them in a closed-door meeting [by] Allan Katz," Ausman said. "It was unnecessary."

Katz is a lawyer from Florida -- and superdelegate -- who emerged as Obama's chief powerbroker on the rules committee.

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Comments

Okay thats fine and dandy but lets not keep this type of unity going otherwise we will be stuck we're at...without a nominee.

PR, Renton, Washington (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 4:56 PM)

These people are so into politickin' that they forget about governing.

How on earth could an Obama/Clinton administration function when the Clinton white house had so many problems with Hillary's team interfering with Bill's? And now it would be Hillary AND Bill romping around Washington supposedly respectful of Obama? I can't see it in a million years. People who say otherwise must be plotting for 2012 or wishing Obama ill.

Amy (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:30 PM)

Fine but let's be clear that Senator Clinton has NOT won the popular vote and that I cannot support the ticket with Hillary on it as VP. That would be like voting for George Bush so I can't do it. I don't trust the Clintons.

lauren, Boulder, CO (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:31 PM)

Get real! How close do we want Bill close to the Whouse. We need to know who is running the country, not looking over a shoulder to see what political mischief Bill is up to.

James Pus, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:31 PM)

Ickes is a buffoon. He came off as a whiner and hypocritical

Jerry Wayne (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:31 PM)

Get real! How close do we want Bill close to the Whouse. We need to know who is running the country, not looking over a shoulder to see what political mischief Bill is up to.

James Pus, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:32 PM)

As long as "unity" does not include the scumbag Clintons on the ticket. Bill has disgraced himself with his foolish whining and arrogance. Haven't we had about enough of the Clintons already? And the claim of winning the popular vote makes me want to throw-up....counting 2 primaries whose voters were told the results would not count means that the vote totals there were not valid, as some voters stayed home and others voted in the Republican primary. Plus they do not even count caucus states. So, unity? Sure. Let Billary endorse Obama and campaign for him and his running mate.

Fred (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:32 PM)

F that, why in the hell are other's trying to decide who should be on Obama ticket, if he put her on the ticket I will not vote for him

Mrs C (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:33 PM)

And the only way to unify is hold the nominee hostage by insisting she be on the ticket???....get some balls sd!!!

jan (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:33 PM)

What a ridiculous way to justify your vote. I guess stupid is contagious in Floriduh. If those rotten 4 delegates are so important to the clinton supporters, just give 'em to her - Barack will have more than enough delegates to put him over the top - then the clinton supporters can stop whining already.

jdb (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:34 PM)

I think an Obama/Clinton ticket for the general election would be great. Both sides win then.

Don, Seattle Washington (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:34 PM)

I wish everybody would SHUT UP and let Obama choose who HE would like to put on HIS ticket. HRC was never interested in the VP slot, remember, until just now. Hmmm, sounds a bit fishy to me.
Trust no one.

enoughalready (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:36 PM)

class,largess,panache,grace,humility,all traits missing from the Clinton's and their closest advisors.Hillary Rodham Clinton is the personafication of tasteless,awoman devoid ofthe humanity necessary to lead a great nation.A female George W Bush,Bill being her Rove

samantha zeng Denver Co. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:36 PM)

I will always be for Hillary. She gets my vote whenever, however..... just forever. I will never vote for Obama. And if Obama thinks putting Hillary on HIS ticket will unify the party. He is full of crap. I implore all women to write-in Hillary, or vote for McCain. Show Obama who is boss.

4mygirl (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:36 PM)

Not after todays news. McCain using Clintons foul derogatory comments about Obama (by way of video) against him in new ad. That scorpion has turned on herself and could cost us the election. She has no shame. No conscience, no scruples, no chance.
She is evil personified.

skylark (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:42 PM)

I hope 4 more Senator Obama leaners (undeclareds) go to Senator Clinton from Obama. Then, the Michigan issue too is off the table as a source of contention.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:43 PM)

That would be unity alright, every delegate should give Hillary their vote and overrule the will of the people, that would give Hillary what she wants and further add to the division in the Democratic party. Way to go idiot Ausman, Obama gave you your 15 minutes and this is how you unify the party, by giving Hillary another pity vote.

LJ (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:44 PM)

"Sen. Obama's already got the nomination," Florida's Jon Ausman told NBC NEWS. "I want to send a small message with my half vote that we need to be unified."

PITY VOTE!!! Do Hillary supporters want pity?

John (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:45 PM)

That is ridiculous.... It just further divides the party. If we continue with this idiotic type of action we will alienate even more folks. This election should be a "give me". If we don't get it together soon we will lose.... and we will deserve it.

CS, Seattle, Washington (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:46 PM)

That is a pretty lame reason to support someone with a superdelegate vote.

Let's get this over...

...but yes, put HRC on the ticket. I disagree with my fellow BHO supporters. It have confidence in Obama that he is a strong enough leader to handle Hillary and Bill - heck, he already beat them. But this would make the most win/win situation possible. There is no reason that I can see to have such a close exciting race for both candidates end with winner-take-all.

Follow the example of Lincoln and Kennedy. Both put their previous opponents on the ticket or in their cabinets and had extremely influential and successful Presidencies. Plus there is just not a lot time for Obama to sell his pick if not Hillary - she is already well known. This would be the most historic ticket possible.

Obama supporters should not dig in against Hillary just as Hillary supporters should not dig in against Obama. Let's truly unite and beat the Republicans from the top down.

Obama/Clinton 08/12

Gobama (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:46 PM)

Perhaps it is a bit too late for us to see the dream ticket (Obama ,Clinton), but someone from Clinton camp could be put on Ticket as VP.

Maharana P Batra (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:48 PM)

Mr. Ausman, you Sir are a gentleman, but please do not be pursueded to go for a ride in the park with the Clinton campaign.

Rob, Obamaland, USA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:51 PM)

as my favorite senator biden said on another matter, "This is BS, this is malarkey, this is ridiculous."

this is a cute gesture, but let's move it along.... i hope we can all realize by now that Hillary is asking the undeclared SDs not to declare and her own SDs not to switch so that she can use this stalemate to her advantage and make sure she has a firm grasp of Barack's heel as he limps into the nomination on busted kneecaps courtesy of her morally, fiscally bankrupt dis-organization and Bubba-Bubba-Cauldron-Boiling Bill.

i'm not excited, i am utterly disgusted and my stomach churns at the mere PROSPECT of Bill Clinton being anywhere NEAR an Obama White House -- MEDIA PLEASE STOP IT!!!!

Fay (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:55 PM)

Katz power broker on the rules committee.... hmmm thats a surprise that the rulings went against the clintons. Democrats for McCain! Anyone but Obama id go for Clinton and McCain. Dont get sucked into the Obama Kool Aid Clinton Democrats, stick with your guns and make the point across the nation come november she should have been the nom.

Eric, ,GR,MI (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:55 PM)

I don't understand why he feels Obama should make some sort of effort. Hillary is in the position she is in because of Hillary and Bill - no one else is to blame. I can't for the life of me figure out why people think that the power is in her court when she is the clear loser.

allison, phoenix, arizona (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:56 PM)

Obama and his strategists designed and managed a brilliant campaign and kept to the high road. Obama now has the right to choose the vice president he wants (and deserves) - one who shares his values and his vision of a new kind of politics.

silona reyman (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:56 PM)

Mr. Ausman needs to understand that there are millions of Obama supporters (not to mention yet-to-vote independents and Republicans) who will end up not voting if Hillary Clinton is on the ticket. Senator Obama stands for change and more integrity in government. The Clintons absolutely kill both of those notions, and the Republicans will be more than happy to bring up all their garbage, from the 90's through the recent Bosnia lie and RFK assassination remarks, to remind all the disillusioned masses, including all the newly registered voters, to stay home yet again this election. As an older, white female myself, I recognize the hysterical anger in my demographic set (and do not applaud it), but Obama supporters want to leave all the Clinton and other old garbage behind. Mr. Ausman is very naively considering only appeasing a certain percentage of the Clinton supporters rather than doing what's best for the country. The racist segment won't be appeased anyway, and from my view as an Obama supporter, Mr. Ausman's half-vote for Clinton at this point is weak and divisive.

Elizabeth, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 5:59 PM)

I do find that the media have mistreated Hillary during this campaign and I am an Obama supporter. Calling her the inevitable candidate like she and not the media named herself that; Deliberately misunderstanding when she referenced the RFK assination since RFK was CAMPAIGNING when he was killed; Deliberately being obtuse when she told Katie Couric that she had not considered losing the race when she simply meant that she could not think about losing and perform the daily campaign tasks; Sayimg that Bill Clinton "played the race card" by mentioning Jesse Jackson in the same breath with Obama; Then I won't even mention the Over The Top Keith Olberman, and to a lesser degree, Chris Matthews.

Cyd Noble (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:00 PM)

This more like asking for a bribe. I think that after a year fighting with Clinton, Obama should not be forcedinto hugging her in the ring there and then. Perhaps if she sheds another tear, we shall talk to Obama to consider her with an Ambasadorial position. How about that for someone with international experience?

Gb, Alexandria, va (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:01 PM)

HE needs to make gestures?????? Are you freaking kidding me? SHE needs to make some gestures mister.....how about flat out saying she has lost? How about saying she apologizes for her negativity? How about nonparsing and telng Bill to be like a sheep and shut the flock up? DUDE, you need to look the opposite way when demanding EFFORTS.....good G-D.

laughaday (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:05 PM)

Well, THIS 64 year old WHITE woman, who makes WAY less than $50,000, is never going to forgive HRC for taking Barack Obama's big moment away! Why couldn't she have just demurred for one more day? Would that have killed her?? Just as she and Bill refused to go quietly on inauguration day in 2001, she refuses to give up the spotlight. She's only thought of herself throughout this whole process, and making her the VP will be the worst thing that can possibly happen.

Donna, Springfield ME (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:07 PM)

PLEASE, will the media please let Obama supporters enjoy this accomplishment without listening to you guys talk about HRC ALL NIGHT LONG??????? It's not about his race or about the Clintons, it's about the fact the HE WON, ok? That's the story. Stop obsessing about the Clintons for one evening, will you PLEASE?

jennifer, Denver (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:07 PM)

How does casting a half vote AGAINST the presumptive Democratic nominee help unify the party? Ausman must have spent too long in the Clinton spin room. His rationale makes no sense.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:07 PM)

It is not sticking it in Clinton's eye. Obama is ready to go on a fall strategy, it is clinton sticking it in Obama's eye that is bugging me.

She won't get out until the supers give Obama the votes he needs and the supers are saying they won't come out until Clinton gets her space or does what whe needs to do.

Can anybody say circular democratic firing squad.

Don, Portland OR (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:10 PM)

Idont know if I could vote for Obama even if Hillary was on the ticket... There is just far to much about him that is shady to me... If I voted for them as a team. It would be like praying that something happened to give the presidents office to here...

Chuck Portland Oregon (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:14 PM)

They know that Obama cannnot win in Nov.without Hillary on the ticket, so they are here to play this tricky political games. So funny. I will not vote for Obama, even if Hillary is his running mate. I just dont' like a President Obama. Hillary should keep her dignity and refuse to be Obama's V.P if she still want our supports. She should run as a third party, I'm sure she'll defeat both McCain and Obama.

Judy (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:20 PM)

I am a Reagan Independent (fiscal conservative / socially responsible), I voted for Obama in the primary. I will not vote for Obama if HRC is on the ticket. Neither Clinton should get near the White House, close to the center of power.

sss WIsconsin (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:23 PM)

Unity , at this point, is to come together and support the nominee. As a middle aged, white, male from Alabama... I am proud to say that I support Obama.

Dems "08

Greg Brown, Fairhope, AL (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:29 PM)

I agree why are so many losing focus. We don't want our kids, friends and family still fighting in a meaning less war. You see what Bush did in eight years, do you really want to give someone believing the same ideology another four. We owe to ourselves and future generations to put our pride to the side and show that Americans can come together for the geater good.

Austin,Phoenix,AZ (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:32 PM)

In the name of unity? A sellout endorsement to somehow save his butt in the event she gets on the ticket. She's his meal ticket. Shameful. The whole lot of them.

Dems Unite (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:38 PM)

Hillary has to be on the ticket.... Obama and the party will fail the "majority" populas of the party if they she is not on the ticket with him. ITS GOT TO BE!

Jeffrey McPherson, Omaha, Nebraska (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:43 PM)

No, that is a stupid idea. No slick Hillary on the VP slot.

Jon, Tx (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:44 PM)

IT MAKE'S NO DIFFERENT WHO'S THE PRES. HE'S ONLY A FRONT MAN,FOR COOPERATE AMERICA,CFR,NAU,ONE WORLD GOV. IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT SAVE THERE COUNTRY, THEY HAD BETTER WAKE UP. VOTE LOU DOBB'S FOR PRES.

WILLIAM HOOPER- WAUTOMA, WI. (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:44 PM)

BILL CLINTON KNOWS A "SCUMBAG" BECAUSE HE IS ONE.

HILLARY AS VP MEANS BILL, THE USED CONDOM, BACK IN D.C.

SAY NO TO HILLARY AS VP CAUSE BILL WILL EMBARASS OBAMA --- AS HE HAS HIS WIFE & DAUGHTER.
______________________________________________________

HILLARY AS VP --- BILL WILL EMBARASS OBAMA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:45 PM)

How about in the name of unity we not pressure a presidential nominee to add someone to his ticket. Wise up people your setting this up to be more difficult. There is no need to start the adding Hillary as a VP now, not like we have a deadlock and need a deal to end it. If she is the best candidate in the end then fine but just like her inevitable nomination if we start plugging her in we will have more dissapointment if she isnt picked and its sad for her or anyone to bully her onto the ticket.

Aaron, phoenix Az (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:46 PM)

Classy way to lead the unity charge.

Alec McT (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:48 PM)

No freaking way!

Hillary is a Lead Weight on the good ship Obama.

Let her sink!!

Jack, Santa Cruz, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:49 PM)

I hope he rejects and denounces that suggestion.
The campaign will be about the economy, not
Theclintons, as it would be, if she were to be
on the ticket. Both Clintons have accused Obama
of being unAmerican and ill-prepared to handle
the job of President and being unsure if he's a Muslim and much worse. Why on earth would she
want to be on the ticket as his VP??

VP?

A Fletcher (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:49 PM)

He's 11 delegates away as I write. She needs to be gracious and realistic tonight in ger speech, as does he. There most definitely is a place for her in the party and possibly in the Executive or Judicial Branch. However, there is no place for the likes of Ickes, McAuliffe, and Wolfson. They too represent the past and the politics of the past. This is a historic moment in our nation's history 232 years after the abolition of slavery. WE NEED JOHN EDWARDS AS ATTORNEY GENERAL. Say it loud and clear!

Mike Harley, Laguna Niguel, CA (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 6:50 PM)

Negative on the Obama Clinton ticket...I have lost so much faith in her and her husband's ability to lead the country honestly. She will do anything..including backstab her own party members...I would be very unhappy if this ticket came about.

Latasha (Sent Tuesday, June 03, 2008 7:28 PM)

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