Guide Note

On June 24, 2008, former president Bill Clinton issued a statement that he is "committed to helping Barack Obama become president."¹

Though issued through a spokesman, the statement was the first indication of support from the former president since Barack Obama secured the nomination of the Democratic Party on June 3.²

Fast Facts

1. Relations between Bill Clinton and Obama have been described as "frosty"³
2. Clinton called Obama's record on the Iraq War a "fairy tale"³
3. Accused Obama of "playing the race card"³
4. At one point, Obama said "I can't tell who I'm running against sometimes" of Hillary Clinton's campaign¹
5. Obama and Hillary Clinton will appear at a joint rally on June 27, 2008¹

"President Clinton is obviously committed to doing whatever he can and is asked to do to ensure Senator Obama is the next president of the United States."¹—Matt McKenna, Spokesman for Bill Clinton, The Associated Press

"A unified Democratic Party is going to be a powerful force for change this year and we're confident President Clinton will play a big role in that."¹—Bill Burton, Spokesman for Barack Obama, The Associated Press

"[Bill Clinton] can connect in parts of the country where Senator Obama may need some help, like the Rust Belt, and it will help in further unifying the [party] after a fractious primary...the downside, as we saw in the primary, is that it's a little roll of the dice. But I think it's worth the risk."¹—Mark Kornblau, Consultant to the Democratic Party, The Associated Press