WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton and Barack Obama talked by phone Monday morning, representatives of both sides said, as the Democrats sought to quash rumors that Clinton holds a grudge against the man who knocked his wife out of contention for the party's presidential nomination.
Obama called Clinton and they spoke for about 20 minutes Monday morning, the Obama campaign told CNN.
Clinton wants to campaign "with and for" Obama after the hard-fought primary campaign between Obama and Hillary Clinton, Clinton spokesman Matt McKenna said. Clinton "renewed his offer to do whatever he can to ensure Sen. Obama is our next president."
Watch: Obama, Clintons: Hard feelings?
Obama "had a terrific conversation with President Clinton and is honored to have his support in this campaign," Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.
The chairman of Sen. Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful presidential bid, Terry McAuliffe, said Sunday the former president was angered by media reports suggesting he did not plan to actively support Obama in the general election.
"He was angry that these ridiculous stories were out here, and these supposed close friends of the president - none of the close friends ever got called," McAuliffe said, referring to anonymous sources quoted in some stories. "What happens, a lot of time, is people like to pretend they're close so they can tell the reporters that they're close, but, you know, they're just talking."
McAuliffe said he spoke to Bill Clinton on Sunday morning. The former president recently returned from a trip to Europe.
Obama and Hillary Clinton appeared together Friday in Unity, New Hampshire, where the former first lady said of her ex-rival, "we may have started on different paths ... (but) today our hearts are set on the same destination for America ... to elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States."
The two had met the night before at a gathering of Clinton's biggest political donors, at which Clinton delivered the maximum legal donations to Obama's campaign from herself and her husband and Obama and his wife, Michelle, donated the maximum to Clinton's campaign - which remains mired in debt.
But some analysts read bitterness into the fact that Bill Clinton did not appear at either event and had made no personal comments supporting Obama since his wife conceded the nomination. Instead, the former president released a statement through a spokesman saying he "is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do" for Obama.
McAuliffe said Bill Clinton merely was waiting in order to avoid taking the public's focus off of Obama and Hillary Clinton's joint appearances.
"Any time that Bill Clinton and Barack Obama speak, it's going to be big news," McAuliffe said. "They wanted this out of the way first. Now that that's over, they will speak. And I'll bet you they speak within the next 24 hours, 48 at the most."
He also joked at rumors that the ex-president remains angry at Obama from the Democratic campaign.
"This man doesn't stay mad," he said. "He can get mad for 24 hours. It's his Irish ancestry."
From CNN Politics
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I don't think the 'Hillary for McCain' supporters realize they are fish out of the water too.
What kind of cult is PUMA? These bloggers have posted nothing but negative/hateful comments, which I no longer waisting my time reading. I just see the word PUMA and don't even bother.
Good, bill is not gonna be such a sore loser. What does he have to worry about anyway –> Obama is 95% Clinton policies...
Rita, agree 100% with you. It's the Obama supporters who are so childish in their response is the major reason why I'm not voting for Obama...and the Obama supporters can only blame themselves should Obama not get the nomination (remember Hillary hasn't let go of her delegates, yet) or should he get the nomination, not win the presidency.
The world is watching -- YES WE CAN and YES WE WILL!
Bill,
Please don't do it!!! Don't stoop down to Obama's low level! He was against you in the beginning and is against you now, why should he benefit from you? Tell your wife Hillary to stay home also, Obama shouldn't benefit from her! He knows he can't win the White House without the help of Clintons!
I sure hope we get to hear about when the Ex-presidential candidate (McBush) and the Ex-president (Dubya) talk from their respective retirement porches.
That would be a conversation to hear – oops, one can't hear and the other doesn't speak good english.
Sorry.
Go Obama
Now that everyone is onboard, the Obama campaign is going to be a powerhouse. More and more, it looks like November is going to be a landslide.
Bill Clinton needs to get over what ever problem he has with Obama. Bill needs to realize it ain't about him or Hilary, it is about eecting a democrat as the next president. Whatever butt hurt Bill is feeling, he needs to get over it and get with the program.
YES WE CAN AND WE WILL vote no Obama.
Bill dont do it dont help him.
PUMA (PAC)
Hey Bill, Obama is offering hope and you should act fast towards his election....
The media is a business. They try to keep something going despite the truth.
Bill never had a grudge. Made up lies for ratings.
Beware media, God will judge you.
Regarding 'KEVIN' comments:
Sometimes I read something on these blogs that makes me very, very sad. Your comments were reprehensible. I'm glad you are in the minority now.
I hope y'all noticed that it was Obama who initiated the telphone call. That must be accurate because with Bill's big head, I cannot imagine him picking up the phone and wanting to start the talking with Obama. Big Head Bill is the type that "if he wants to talk, he can call me." Neither one is worth a nickel.
What, Larry? Do you want the Obamas to personally send you their resume and let you interview them? Get a brain and go do the research. You will know everything you want to know about Obama if you read his books. There is plenty of information about Michelle Obama availalbe. Go on Barack's website. Stop being such an idiot and be responsible for figuring this out yourself!!
Bill Clinton brought us 8 years of peace and prosperity and Obama dissed him like a bad rash instead referring to a Republican Reagan as a "transformative" figure in recent politics. I would tell him to KMA also.
Once again CNN is making up the news instead of reporting them. What a shame. What President Bill Clinton did was corrected. He must stay silence until his wife officially support Obama. As to what CNN indicated that President Clinton is upset or mad. Was that true? Did anyone see it? Was that caught on tape? Do we have any witness? Or was it just hot air from CNN?
Obama now needs to publicly apologize for using the race card against the Clintons. Their support for civil rights has been solid and true for decades and I personally resent that the Obama campaign tarnished their record.
LES_Chica,
8 years or not, Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19, 1998. Check your facts
ok...
CNN has completed it's "People Magazine" gossip column fluff for the day "friend said they talked..." woohoo. Now can you report on something meaningful? What are the candidates plans for our failing infrastructure or how are we going to really wean ourselves from oil. That's something I want to read about.
Please, Bill, crawl back under your rock for the remainder of this election.
Great news!!!! Yes we can and we will, and those who are haters will get over it or die trying.
Barack is in a spot, no doubt about it. I do believe his intelligence and patience will overcome the "clingy clintons".
Obama and Bill is a powerful force in American and American is waiting for them to lead this country in a new direction.
Barack/Bill 08!!!!
OBAMA 2008!!
The blind leading the idiot.....