Obama on Clinton in Unity, N.H.: 'She Rocks'

June 27, 2008 -- In their first public step towards reconciliation following a brutal primary season, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-NY., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., traveled together to the small town of Unity, New Hampshire for their first joint campaign rally.

The town was symbolically chosen by the Obama campaign for the event because of it's name and because 107 residents voted for Obama and 107 voted for Clinton during the primaries.

"Well, Unity is not only a beautiful place as we can see, it's a wonderful feeling isn't it?" Clinton said, standing beside Obama before 4,000 people.

"And I know when we start here in this field in Unity, we'll end on the steps of the Capitol when Barack Obama takes the oath of office as our next president."

Clinton addressed any of her backers who are considering voting for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.,: "I strongly urge you to reconsider."

Of Obama, she said, "I know that he'll work for you. He'll fight for you, and he'll stand up for you every single day in the White House," Clinton said, calling Obama "a leader who invests in our future."

When it was his turn at the podium, Obama praised his former rival's dedication and tenacity.

"For 16 months, Senator Clinton and I have shared the stage as rivals for the nomination, but today I could not be happier and more honored and more moved that we're sharing this stage as allies to bring about the fundamental changes that this country so desperately needs," Obama said.

"Hillary and I may have started with separate goals in this campaign, but we made history together," he said. "I've admired her as a leader, I've learned from her as a candidate. She rocks. She rocks. That's the point I'm trying to make," Obama said as the crowd cheered.

In a further gesture, Clinton, who is still heavily in debt for her own presidential bid, made a personal donation to the Obama campaign Friday. She and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, maxed out to Obama online giving $2,300 apiece.

Obama has also hired Neera Tanden, former Clinton campaign policy director, to be his domestic policy director.

Obama and Clinton wore matching colors for their first joint appearance together -- he a white shirt and baby blue tie, and her a pantsuit of the same color.

During the rally, members of the crowd chanted: "Thank you Hillary!" and one member of the crowd held a homemade sign that said "Obama/Hillary Unite!" and "Hillary for VP."