Sen. Obama met with former president Clinton in Harlem Thursday in their first extended sit-down meeting since Obama defeated Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
NEW YORK (CNN) - Former President Bill Clinton predicted Barack Obama will "win" this fall's election and "will win pretty handily.”
The two men chatted with reporters in a photo-op at Clinton's Harlem office before sitting down for a private lunch.
Clinton is scheduled to campaign for Obama in Florida later this month. According to aides, the former president will appear at a mix of fundraisers and campaign events on behalf of the Democratic ticket throughout the fall.
"We're putting him to work," said Obama.
Clinton said he’d "agreed to do a substantial number of things, whatever I'm asked to do.”
Obama smiled at Clinton's prediction that he would take the White House: "There you go, you can take it from the President of the United States. He knows a little something about politics."
The image of the two men meeting comes as a relief to many Democrats who have been hoping to put to rest the "Clinton-Obama rift" storyline. Both Clintons praised Obama in their convention speeches, but agreed a face-to-face meeting with the president was a necessary step in putting the contentious primary season behind both camps.
The two men were said to be dining on a mix of sandwiches, salads and pizza from the lunch chain Cosi.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Bill Clinton for President!!!
Let's go to work Democrats – Get people registered!!
It looks like the election will be decided by Ohio, Florida, Virginia and maybe Missouri. It will be interesting to see if the people suffering in those states stick with what got them there or step out and go a new direction.
Goodness, Mr. Obama sure has all the Democratic big hitters campaining for him. Gore, HIllary and Bill Clinton….
--------------
Let's see, Nobel Peace Prize winner, current US Senator and presidential candidate, former US President and Rhodes Scholar.
McCain has actors Fred Thompson and Chuck Norris, so I guess it's a wash.
Both key democrats O and Hill should have stuck this out together for the sake of the party and the nation. O and Hill would have thrashed Mac and (grating!!!) Cheese. But O and Joe?, not quite sure.
The message of change should be that we need a democrat in the white house. That's the change we want – the democratic agenda and principles not Republican. The c hange is not about O.
Apprehensive Hillary supporter now just a democratic presidential nominee supporter.
To David September 11th, 2008 1:59 pm ET
Are we supposed to believe that there have only been 32 bills signed into law in 2 1/2 years. Looks to me like this is a carefully selected sample. What wacko right wing website did you get this info from?
Bill you were a great president, I've supported you and campaign for you in the 90s. Let me tell you this, I wouldn't vote for that NITWIT even if you have to pay me!
Obama is the only candidate that has some chance to retrieve our dignity as a nation. Address today's problems with today's answers. Remember history and use it to guide us to better decisions in the future.
McCain is living in the past. Palin is living in Lala land.
I AGREE! All Americans has to do is look at the issues and not the empty rhetoric the GOP is offering. Obama should win hands down!
NO WAY, NO HOW, NO MCCAIN & PALIN
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
YES WE CAN!
Repulsive Republican Reformists...
Be ashamed...be very ashamed...of how you run your disgusting, sleazy campaign...
We have had enough of the Clintons.The Democrats wouldn't count our delegates in Florida or Michigan for Hillary; and now they think we should vote democratic.Palin;McGovern will receive our votes.They are not part of the democratic group that has been in Washington for'many' years.We want new people.Stay home;do your job in New York,Hillary.Palin doesn't bow down to Obama like Hillary always did.
Ya, because Bill Clinton is an expert at all things presidential...Obama needs to consider from who's mouth the advice is coming from.
Clinton is not known for his steady predictions...the sooner the Clintons get out of American politics, the better America will be.
is america seriously ready to put its fate in the hands of an
inexperienced first term senator who doesnt even have any
experience leading a city or state, voted present a lot of times while in
the senate – no clue of what he was doin. the democrats are acting
like if mccain becomes potus, something is goin to happen to him
right away and palin will be the new potus, get ur heads out of where
the sun doesnt shine.
In my opinion, this country is under NO OBLIGATION to elect John McCain President because he was a POW. We owe him respect and honor but he doesn't get the Presidency because of his service. There seems to be an ENTITLEMENT to McCain's campaign. You OWE me the Presidency because I paid such a price in Vietnahm. I wish that somebody would have the courage to challenge this mindset and say OUT LOUD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, BUT THAT DOESN'T GET YOU THE PRESIDENCY!!!
The Republicans are on the run, don't let their bluster fool you. They know they have reached the end of the line.
WE ALL KNOW that the GOP is bankrupt on ideas, the truth, and respect for the American People.
Your reign of misdirection, lies, and plundering the treasury is OVER.
Talk your big game all you want but you will be made to be accountable for your lies and disruption of our country.
Bring them down!
JiminAtlanta September 11th, 2008 1:57 pm ET
First of all, Obama, Bill Clinton isn't the President of the United States now. Second, Clinton lied to the American people and was impeached, so I wouldn't believe him if he said "good morning." He thought Hillary would win. See how that turned out?
hey braintrust, former presidents are always referred to in this manner... ever former vice presidents. secondly, clinton lied to the american people and got impeached... i guess you would have rather him lied to the american people, got a bunch of our kids killed, and then NOT get impeached like the dude in the office now. and as for him saying he thought hillary was going to win, um, DUH, he's her husband, you think he's gonna say "yeah, i don't know... i don't really think my wife can win this one. i think it's gonna be obama"? give me a break and go buy some b-cells broseph.
Just like Hillary was going to win...Right???
I have nothing but respect for President Clinton but his fake support for Obama is a lost cause. Obama is reaching for straws and trying to get help from anybody he can because the ship is sinking.
True Reform – McCain/Palin
Teleprompter King – Obama/Biden
To Joe of NY...because Obama has been too big for his pants. He thinks he is above them all. That is why. His arrogance to his own party is reprehenseable.
He is a Socialist, not a Democrat. Even they see it...you are stupid not to. Just listen to his ideas? At least if he doesn't have teleprompter problems.
The Clinton's do not want Obama to win that would ruin their dynasty. McCain will win and if he runs in 2012 he will win again. Then will we see Palin and Bobby Jindle. It's time to get the people in the white house and congress to realize that they represent the people not the other way around. Hopefully we can get the ole school politicians out of congress....and those who think the need to stay there for 30+ years like Biden out and get people in that want to make changes and work together.
Bill Clinton is the scum of the earth. Who cares what he says.
Relax folks.
Bill's endgame is still:
a. His own legacy, and
b. Hillary 2012.
Thanks Bubba!
You still da man!
OBAMA-BIDEN08!
Don't be fooled by the polls. Young Americans are the true deciders of this election. We don't get polled because we're not at home waiting by the phone. We are out campaigning for our next president Barack Obama.
Well,
Isn't that special?
Obama was a community organizer – making life better for laid of factory workers right out of college. Palin was competing in beauty pageants. The nerve of her to make fun of someone for making life better for people while she was on lipstick.
North Carolina for OBAMA
Moms against little children getting pregnant for OBAMA