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
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Thank you Mr. Clinton. Now, let's get this ball rolling. We need to focus on the issues – economy, healthcare and education. BTW Hillary Democrat and Dem or McCain, Hillary will have a significant role in the administration.
Obama/Biden '08
I've always thought that the democratic party would not be unified until Barack and Bill got together. Its finally happening
Yes please, Obama for the win. Remember the Republicans are the party that wrecked America!
United we Stand, Divided we Fall. Don't forget it.
It's going to be a landslide for Obama/Biden unless people have marbles for brains
A film clip of John McCain's release from prison has just been released. In it he is shown giving a very snappy salute. Hasn't he been saying that the reason he can't lift his hands above his head is that he had both arms broken back then?
Maybe he just has rotator cuff degenration and he's trying to get sympathy. Naaahhh.
I love to see how Bill can still strike fear into the hearts of the republicans! Oh, did I say hearts? I meant hollow chest cavities!
This whole election is becoming a joke. Young people will forever think the political process is a joke. Just because people want to vote based on gender or bias towards another based on color.
People are willing to put our futures on the line over culture warfare. Old people who won't vote based on prejudices are selling their childrens and grandchildrens life to the devil himself.
The responsible choice is obama/Biden – it seems like they are the only one's talking about ISSUES. I can care less that Sarah is a hockey mom, or a woman. What can she do to for this country ...and right now it's pretty much nothing. We already know what McCain is offering.
Thanks but no thanks!!!!
Americans need to hop off of Stupid and be smart like the rest of the world.
Obama to be our president He has to be open He is not, He can't fool me or my family and my friendts. So He will not win.McCain and Sarah are the winers.
Hey Bush Crusader...who said god is for America? You think he is taking sides? Thats the problem with the evangelical right....they are morons. They are worse than the farthest left liberal I can imagine! Lets go kick so and so's butt for God! Give us a break...its old and we are tired. I so wich that I could trade the 50 million Conservatives in for 50 million russians...at least they would be more honest!
Oh one more for all you History Buffs...what party has protected this country the last 100 years? Hmm...let me think...Wilson (WW I) Democrat, Rossevelt Democrat (WW2)and Kennedy (Cuban Missile Crisis)...hmm anytime the world or the country was at war or on the brink it has always been A DEMOCRAT!!!!!!
Republicans = Police Actions...Vietnam/Nixon (yeah yeah Johnson but it was a CIA Republican backed Police Action) The Gulf War and Iraq....
Democrats are the REAL WARRIORS!
Veterans for Obama
The Black guy has to walk on eggshells, and the White guy and girl can be Rock Stars; Americans had enough of the this.
American voters: Let us help him be right on!
I hope he's right. The last president screwed up this country so bad. Washington Mutual stock is less than $2 a share now. That's less than a happy meal. Look at what the republicans have done to America. How could anyone want another republican on the farm now:
Old McCain had a farm
e-i-e-i-o
and on his team he had a pig (with lipstick)
e-i-e-i-o
with a lie, lie here
and an ear mark there
here a smear
there a tear
Republicans must lose this year!
All's good in the Dem world. All hands on deck. There are a lot of smears that need to be beat back and a lot of truths that need to be told.
Obama/Biden '08
lol...well said Tim. I'm gagging too. What else is he suppose to say. Do you really think the Clintons...the best political family we got now, what this loser to win.
Hey Bush Crusader...who said god is for America? You think he is taking sides? Thats the problem with the evangelical right....they are morons. They are worse than the farthest left liberal I can imagine! Lets go kick so and so's butt for God! Give us a break...its old and we are tired. I so wich that I could trade the 50 million Conservatives in for 50 million russians...at least they would be more honest!
Veterans for Obama
what hurts more is that people seem to have forgotten the last eight,years. they keep talking about change then why do they have all of bushes people working on there campainge is that change no so dont be fooled by smoke -mirrors Obama-Biden 08-12'
I will never vote with the Republican party ever again. I hope a real change will be coming with Barak Obama! I'm glad President Clinton is in Obama's corner!
E.J from Tacoma
and i'm a woman!!!!!
Obama for president
Biden for vice president
Hillary secretary of state...
by the way john McCain, we dont need a warrior, we need a president. So we'll vote Obama... when we need a warrior we 'll let you know...
and, yes, hum....about Sarah Palin we dont need any pittbull or attack dog with lipstick...We re americans, and we WONT fight and ATTACK other americans ! WE want a unified country. WE Know you repugs are into the same old attacking and destrying one another politics, like you did for john kerry....but...guess what...
NOT THIS TIME !
Something is not right with the Republican Party hiding Palin like this..
Well, if Bill Clinton can campaign for Senator Kerry he definitely shoud campaign for Senator Obama. To the Hillary Supporters, I believe that if Senator Clinton really wanted to be VP, she would have been picked as VP. I believe that Senator Clinton is now waiting to run for President again. Whether she has to wait four years or eight years depends on whether the American people continue to vote based on fear, lies and manipulation.
it is good to see former president bill clinton and obama together,it is even better if they having lunch together.Bill and hillary clinton have done every thing possible to show their support for obama.the clinton"s is sometime criticized unfairly,but they are good people.Bill Clintion knows something about politices, he said that obama will have a big win.!!!!! Housto Texas
Obama will win. Regardless of how much the Republicans try to distract us from the issues; whether or not Palin parades up and down the country with her sarcastic, snarky comments. Obama will win because most Americans have had ENOUGH! All of you that posted Palin 2012 must be joking. You know NOTHING about this woman and you are ready to elect her President. That would almost be funny if it wasn't so terrifying that that much ignorance still exists in this country!
This image of Clinton and Obama is great and the prediction of not just a win, but a big win will play well in the news media . . . hopefully. When "Sarah Sideshow" loses her luster, things will get back to normal and Obama should carry a healthy 5 to 7 point lead into November 4th.
Remember, "Sarah Sideshow" . . . Post it and repost it everywhere you go. Americans need to get the message and the message is clear. This election is about issues, NOT "Sarah Sideshow." Let's get back to talking about health care, education, the home mortgage crisis, war, gas prices, and the economy. Republicans can't win on the issues; so they want to run on "Sarah Sideshow." We can't let it happen. Let's educate Americans and get this election back on the issues. -Mc