Obama, Clinton: A place called Unity

Posted: Monday, June 23, 2008 1:12 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In a place called Unity, the Obama, Clinton joint campaigning will happen in New Hampshire Friday.

The event is dubbed a "Unite for Change" rally. The Obama campaign notes in its release that both candidates got 107 votes each from the town in the New Hampshire primary earlier this.

Get the message?

*** UPDATE *** NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli, who spent several months in New Hampshire before the primary there, presents some Unity, N.H., fun facts:

- The town was first incorporated as Buckingham in 1753, and now has a population of 1,715. According to a state Web site, the town was renamed Unity in 1764 after the “friendly resolution” of a land dispute.
- According to the 2000 census, the population is 1,535. The ocasionally accurate Wikipedia says the demographics are: 99.35 percent white, 0.07 percent African American (I did the calculation, and that would be equal to one person).
- Unity is about 60 miles from Manchester, mostly on local roads. The seldom-reliable estimate from Google Maps calls for about a 90-minute drive time.
- By my recollection, not one candidate visited Unity during the entire New Hampshire primary campaign. Claremont, about 15 minutes away, did see its share of visitors, mostly on the Democratic side.
- Obama and Clinton did indeed tie with 107 votes in the Democratic primary. Edwards got 78, Richardson 15, Kucinich 2, and Biden and Gravel each got 1. Chris Dodd? Nothin’ (though to be fair, he had dropped out already).
- McCain got 81 votes on the Republican side, beating Romney who had 70. Huckabee was third with 21, followed by Rudy with 20. Duncan Hunter had 2, two more than Dodd.
- Michelle Obama will be in New Hampshire on Thursday for a solo event. No word yet if she’ll stick around for the joint event Friday. A Bill Clinton spokesperson says the former president will be in Europe.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Isn't that precious.........

fed up in Idaho (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:15 PM)

Great idea!

Yasriel, Hou, TX (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:16 PM)

Readers may want to check out this interesting and sophisticated take on Obama's decision to opt out of public financing:

http://www.culturethreads.com/stranda.html

Geoff in Brooklyn (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:17 PM)

Who cares? And why does she need to campaign with him? For those of you who believe that she needs to bring her supporters over to him, why doesn't he earn their support by himself. No one thinks Huckabee is responsible for delivering the evangelicals or Romney responsible for delivering the Mormons to McCain.

Not God Bless America, G-D America (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:19 PM)

Sounds interesting I can't wait to see more about this. Thanks for the update.

Geoff, Ohio (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:20 PM)

awww, how cute

denise, Tampa, FL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:20 PM)

New Hampshire is a good place since McCain has been spending alot of time there because he believes he can carry the state. Obama needs to campaign there to make it competitive.

voter (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:21 PM)

They both got the exact number of votes in a town called Unity? Strange coincidence.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:21 PM)

P.U.M.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Danielle, NJ (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:21 PM)

words just words yaawwwnnnnnnnn

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:21 PM)

You cannot make this stuff up ...
Unity, New Hampshire??? Who knew.

Beth, Orlando, FL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:22 PM)

Please stop pushing HRC on the people. She should never have been allowed to run for president.

If you stop covering her she will go away....oh wait then you would actually have to do your job and find news.

John, MI (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:22 PM)

This should be very interesting. I'm not sure about precious...

Chris, Dorr, MI (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:22 PM)

Obama Voter (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:22 PM)

I didn't know the wicked witch of Arkansas, New York, Pennsylvainia, Indiana or wherever ate Crow? Gotta be the toughest day of her life.

Elmer Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:25 PM)

obama makes my skin crawl! Do this one appearance and then run Hill! You don't owe him SH**!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:25 PM)

You need to get down to the basic elements with Democrats, otherwise they miss the point. If you shout Change long enough, they'll believe you're for change. And if you shout Unity long enough, they'll believe you're unified. And if you click you're heels together three times, you'll go back to Kansas.

Dorothy Gale, Kansas (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:25 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:27 PM)

Word is that Hillary has been baking cookies for the event.

B. Crocker, NY (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:27 PM)

Seriously, though. As long as she can put her overinflated ego aside for a day then this could be a good thing. Now if only her supporters could put their egos aside and vote for Obama in November as opposed to McLame............ it kind of reminds me of the homeless people begging on the offramp. Their sign says, "Any little bit helps" but if you offer them a meal instead of cash they turn their noses up. Hillary supporters should realize that "any little bit helps" and vote Democrat instead of going with a choice where they won't gain anything.

fed up in Idaho (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:28 PM)

obama can't EARN our votes so he expects Hill to deliver them on a silver platter. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

Bobbi, Eau Claire, WI (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:28 PM)

"Who cares? And why does she need to campaign with him? For those of you who believe that she needs to bring her supporters over to him, why doesn't he earn their support by himself. No one thinks Huckabee is responsible for delivering the evangelicals or Romney responsible for delivering the Mormons to McCain."
--------------------------------------------------
They campaign together as a sign that the entire Democratic Party establishment is behind Obama. This is kind of in the same vein as McCain rolling out Rudy and Thompson to attack Obama. It is a way for former rivals in the same party to show their support against the other team.

Chris, Manhattan, KS (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:29 PM)

Oh, so now know we're combining campaign slogan words to create entire sentences. This is certainly a real advancement for liberals as they're only used to one word jingoisms. What's next? "Unity for Hope and Change"?

Herto Beacher, Wilcox, Ohio (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:31 PM)

Last week at the Russet Memorial, I noticed that Madelaine Albright was sitting next to Hillary engaged in conversation in a manner that was indicative of whispering.

That was the same day as the meeting she (MA) was at with Barak re foreign policy.

Hillary is far more influential than perhaps many like to think. While I would prefer that she not be the VP (I don't want her to be blamed if he loses)...I do think she will be pulling a few strings.

Like it or not, he needs her (and her husband's help) and Barak is smart enough to know it...even if his supporters aren't.

Lisa, NY (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:33 PM)

"You need to get down to the basic elements with Democrats..."

Unfortunately, we can't even get to basic elements with Republicans. Those are found on the periodic table, and "periodic" is about three syllables too many ;)

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:35 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
Give me a break! It's a place called MONEY!

twocanpete (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:35 PM)

Is it true McCain and Bush will have a joint appearance in Intercourse, PA to symbolize how he will continue what Bush has done to America?

Who's Sane (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:35 PM)

I know most of Clinton's supporters will vote for Obama because McCain is absolutely horrible on women's issues. Most of them are smart enough to not vote against their interests.
-------------------------------------------------
And a lot of women are mothers. As a mother, I couldn't for one second consider voting for someone who supports partial birth abortion. Obama's support for partial birth abortion (aka infanticide) guarantees that there's no way I will ever vote for him.

Independent Voter (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:36 PM)

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL - Glad to see Hillary and Barack are united. Wonder how united we'll all be when Obama raises taxes 20%, grabs defeat from the jaws of victory in Iraq, gets rid of all those silly treaties we have with other countries and we watch our cost of goods triple. Then lets see Hillary and Barack walk around arm and arm . It certainly will be an exciting time.

Easter Seals (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:36 PM)

Obama will still win this election, assuming that Bush hasn't invaded Iran (or, re-invaded the US, a la 911) and declared martial law and "suspended" the election to keep himself in power. But Obama will not win by more than four percentage points.

gary (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 10:52 AM)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A little off topic... but spot on as to what I think the Republicants are up to... there will be an October surprise alright knowing how dispicable they are and I just hope we survive it!

I mean come on... who in their right mind would vote for McCreepy??

Woman for Obama 08!!!

Feisty Redhead - Roselle IL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:38 PM)

Yes, Bobbi in Eou Claire Wis is right that Hilreys women voters will never vote for Osama Obama the muslim liberalist give everything away to welfare cheaters pick for president. Only navy man and real American can beat the terrorists in the middle east who are trying to defeat us there with oil and here now with Obama.

dusual tx (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:43 PM)

This is too funny. A town called Unity is the most divided town in America - 107 votes each way. Kind of fitting though in that it's the same with Barack, he ain't exactly what he says he is either.

Steal My Vote (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:43 PM)

Unity should do a recount. There must be a hanging chad in there somewhere.

A.Gore, Tn (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:44 PM)

Obama's decision to forgo public campaign money will appeal to more 'feet firmly on the ground' Clinton crowd.

http://ilfamilypolitics.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:45 PM)

fed up:

You mock unity? Hmmmmmm, interesting. You must be a McCain supporter or a socio-path that shuns human contact. Well, make fun all you want. With Hillary's support Obama is going to waltz right into the Presidency. And I must say watching Obama and Hillary arm-in-arm in Unity, NH sure beats having to watch McCain and GWB arm-in-arm and Neo-Con USA. Oh, that's right, McCain is avoiding Bush like the plaque except we have that video of the two hugging like long lost brothers not so long ago.
C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:27 PM)
******************************************************

I'm not "mocking" unity. If this will wake up the pouty, whiny Hillary supporters who threaten to vote Repukelican instead of unifying with their party then I'm all for it. I don't support McCain or the Repukes and I would love to see Obama in the White House. So my apologies at throwing sarcasm into this blog. Maybe after I comment I'll remember to write (insert sarcasm here).

And I'm not sure what calling me a sociopath will accomplish.......... wait..... I got a huge laugh out of it.

fed up in Idaho (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:47 PM)

United????

I guess the Clinton's have to keep their face in this race no matter what she has to do....

The only "Unity" I see is Barack being united to bring more of that back ddor money in, now that he has sworn off public fianacing.

Barack Obama
A wolf in Sheep's clothing

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:52 PM)

We are all united whether we like it or not - might as well work together since we are stuck with each other! :)

Nashville_fan (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:52 PM)

To those posting anti-Hillary/Obama messages, you are truly on the fringe of society, and probably just saying what you are saying just to hear yourself rant.

To those responding to the anti-Hillary/Obama messages, don't waste your time....these people are not for real.

Obama is the only candidate to bring us back on the right track...McCain will destroy us.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:54 PM)

She better be named VP - or Obama loses many of the 18 million who voted for Hillary.

NH may bring some bad memories for Obama since she kicked his a** there, and in:

CA
AZ
NV
NM
TX
OK
SD
AR
TN
MI
IN
OH
KY
FL
WV
PA
NJ
NY
RI
PR

csh, IL (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 1:55 PM)

Mock all you want, but I bet it turns out to be very exciting, huge rally! Such a contrast to the bo-o-o-o-ring townhalls where McCain demonstrates his dictatorship style of leadership by simply ignoring and mocking questions he doesn't want to answer.

I'm looking forward to the event, can't wait to watch all of it. Senator Clinton said she would campaign with him and she is keeping her word.

Obama 08

Unity, NH (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:03 PM)

obama makes my skin crawl!
Bobbi, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
----------------------------------------------------

So this Coulmbia and Harvard graduate make your skin crawl? A man from humble beginnings who worked hard to acquire his share of the American dream? What about him makes your skin crawl? Is it because he is intelligent, able to communicate with people from all walks of life, a dedicated family man, inspirational, a beacon of hope after years of bad policy and partisan politics, . . . or is it that he has the audacity to run for president of the United States of America?

Not to be too harsh, but a lot people out there probably feel as Bobbi does or something similar. Let's try to bring them over (gently, gently), as the U.S. has an opportunity to reinvent itself, or hope they continue to fade into our country's past. I know change is scary, but stagnation and looking backward are worse.

Annapalooza, KY (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:05 PM)

Love is 2-way street. Hillary needs Obama to pay off her multi-million dollar campaign debt and Obama needs her big spenders for his election war chest. Neither trusts the other though so let's see who budges first. Hillary has a deadline to meet in August, before the convention or she loses all the money she loaned to herself, which she says doesn't matter to her. That's how elite Hillary is, she has money to burn. Oh those silly rich people living in glass houses and throwing them big stones! And, where did the love go for Hillary from her followers?? Why aren't they helping poor little rich Hillary pay her bills if they love her so much? Just as I thought, out of sight, out of mind, many have been reduced to Obama bashing, so sad.

LJ (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:08 PM)

SCREW THAT!

DEMOCRATS FOR McCAIN
VETERANS AGAINST OBAMA
911 VICTIMS FOR A STRONGER AND SAFER AMERICA

One More Democrat Who Aint Buying The Obama BS! (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:09 PM)

He's being very good to her.

Sarah, Elon (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:10 PM)

Stop with the Hillary for VP garbage. Most of Hillary's 18,000,000 people are already strongly backing Obama, listen to the news every once in a while why don't ya? Obama doesn't need anything but money from Hillary's Democratic big spenders, and he'll get them.

LJ (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:12 PM)

This week i am for Obama picking HRC as VP. Last week it was joe biden. My change was because i have seen the flip-flop tag (opting out of public money)tossed at Obama and he has seem to have gotten by so why not do the VP pick thing and see how well Obama weathers the storm of, you know, she is not part of your message of change. My guess is maybe two news cycles will pass and then the fact that these two together will pull in close to 500 million by october and the repubs will start jumping off the nearest cliff.
nickb go OBAMA

nick bartow, lester pa (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:14 PM)

Uhh...csh....he won... that's the bottom line ... doesn't matter how many runs, TDs, goals ... he had more and therfore he won...so, chin up..

garyd amherst nh (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:18 PM)

I do not care what that crazy Senator B**ch does to "help" Senator Obama win, she will not get any of my contributions to repay her $23 million dollar campaign debt.

Lisa, CT. Obama for life. (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:20 PM)

Obama is the only candidate to bring us back on the right track...McCain will destroy us.

Pat,

Someone was talking about the Politics of Fear and blaming the Republicans for all of it. Here is a prime case of the Democrats promoting fear. Well, this, and that nutty Global Warming jag the Dems are currently running on.

I'm kind of for Global Warming. I've been a little chilly.

Frobart Handolt, Germany (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:21 PM)

The facts as it lie are as follows: The primary race is completely different to the general election. We're not choosing between two candidates of similar policies, we're now choosing between apples and oranges. If you supported Hillary, a vote for McCain is a vote against everything she campaigned for-plain and simple. If you choose to do so, it's your business but let's not sugar coat it as something substantive. If you're supporting Barack then you understand why he chose to forgo public financing. Personally, I would think him inept if he chose to take it- basically screwing himself in the general election. So there you have it, a choice against two completley different platforms. Each candidate has "changed their stances" on one or more issues. Nobody more than John McCain.

Political Junkie, NJ (Sent Monday, June 23, 2008 2:31 PM)

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1162209