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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So Bill is kissing butt now, I knew that would happen. Bill talks tough when he's out of the country but still doesn't realize how fast the internet can carry his sordid words back to the country he claims is his home. What a sorry excuse for a man Bill Clinton is. Bill still thinks he is somebody and is just realizing that Obama is the one who runs the show now, the Obama campaign wasn't such a fairy tale after all. Bill is such an Arkansas hillbilly still learning how to weed out the trailer trash within himself.
Slick Willy back in town?
Oh, okay..........now let's get the party started to the White House!
Bill, stay away from this guy. He is a downhill trip. Use your energy and intelligence in more worthwhile pursuits.
This is bull. If Bill wants to act like a sore loser, let him!
They hate each other; why bother.
By phobe? How so impersonal.......A honorable man would have had a "face to face" conservation....but then we are talking about Bill Clinton.
Finally !!
A phone conversation huh, that's not very convincing.
A face-to-face meeting is required to patch things up. Hope Bill is up to it.
WE LOVE BOTH THESE TWO MEN.
Lets Go Dems!! We're taking the White House Back!!!!
That's it? Wow. Thanks.
Ok Bubba, now let's get to work.
Of course they would and did....all this drama about Bill's Big Pout is just nonsense. He's a great Democrat and was certainly disappointed (maybe even miffed) but he won't sabatoge Obama's election – I just don't believe that.
Now – can we PLEASE get to real news?? This National Inquirer stuff is getting old....
Can we hold an election tommorow and finish this drama?
Really... President Clinton, please don't sell out to the new kind of politics of throwing the kitchen sink...
Hillary Clinton Supporters for McCain!
Who cares's about Bill Clintons drama. I just hope he stays out and does his charity work.
vvv
Bill Clinton, or any other important individual should not waste time
on yhou WW. Go it the dust
bill
bho's people set u up! they played the race card on you
and you took the bait.
Who cares? Bill is a has-been with a short fuse. If Obama is smart, he'll steer as clear from him as possible.
That's good to know. Bill and Obama talk. I wonder what was said?
Maybe somethin like:
Alright, Obama. I know I said somethings that were personal and I apologize for saying them.
Obama: It's okay, Bill. I'm sorry that I told the truth about Reagan fundamentally changing the direction of the country.
Bill: About Hill... She is on the short list right?
Obama: YEah, but... the oval office is off limits to you.... got it?
Bill: Oh– alright.... Dang gommit! Can I guy get "A_ head" in life anymore?
Reminds me of the pouting of my 4 year old. Geez Bill, man up already and get behind Barack Obama and do all in your will power to get him elected. Anything less is unacceptable.
Regardless of how many times Obama meets and speaks with Hillary or Bill Clinton, he cannot be trusted! As all you Obama supporters keep saying Hilary loyalists have to get over it, well, we will by never casting a vote for someone who we do not think deserves to lead our nation.
The DNC will regret choosing and backing the wrong candidate when election time comes around.
The press, pundints and CNN railroaded Hillary from front runner to also ran by playing the gender card before the race card, when there should have been 'no cards' played.
Now they were all in a panic and had nothing else to talk about when they finally chased her out of the race except trying to nail her husband, our former and last president who precided over a period of time of peace and prosperity.
You all have still never forgave him and appreciated her by standing by her husband.
What I admired in her characteristics was the dedication and experience.
What I admired about him was his abilities and dedication to this country.
Please Candy Crowley, let's focus on our problems at hand...since we didn't allow the political process to conclude, once again.
1. We either have an inexperienced minority candidate who didn't even complete his promise/term in the senate, for those in the State of Illinois
2. Or we have a OLD WAR HAWK who wants to 'stay the course'
3. This is the year to vote/write in 'NONE OF THE ABOVE'
Not even Bill will change my mind about Barack. Is either Hillary for president, or McCain gets my vote. I know the Obamabots will start trashing my comments...but, who cares!!!!!!!!!
Put your heart and soul in to this Bill. People will watch and remember.