Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic: After The Press Leaves, Some Edgy Questions (for Obama)

[highplainsdem]

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/06/after_the_press_leaves_some_ed_1.php

Barack Obama drew his biggest cheers of the night when he vowed to help Hillary Clinton pay off her campaign debt. The pooler was ushered out of the meeting room where about 200 of Clinton's top donors -- those who had raised a combined $230m -- had gathered to watch the Democratic nominee try to build a bridge.

But a few minutes later, a few, less happy donors asked pointed questions. According to someone in the room, one Clinton donor asked Obama directly whether he was going to add her to the ticket as his vice presidential nominee. Even Sen. Clinton looked uncomfortable, gesturing to Obama to move on, which he did.

A second question was edgy: would Obama accept a roll call vote at the convention? Obama responded judiciously, according to the participant, saying, "Hillary and I are going to negotiate this thing and talk about it, and obviously we're going to do what is right for the party. We're all going to make sure we agree."

Several donors took the occasion to speak to Obama. Lanny Davis, a vociferous Clinton defender on television, introduced himself to Obama, who responded, "I know who you are." Davis fidgeted. But he thanked Obama because he son felt for the first time invested in politics. But Obama had to understand: he's known Hillary before she was a Clinton. "I don't want you to take out of context what I said during the campaign," he told Obama.

The mood? "Guarded optimism," according to an attendee.

[ErinBerin84]

1. wow, that Obama/Lanny exchange sounds funny!

"I know who you are." I guess that doesn't need to sound funny, but it just does it my mind. Though the last part of the exchange sounds kind of incoherent, was Marc Ambinder drunk when he wrote it?

[FrenchieCat]

2. Sounds like Lanny making excuses for all of those horrible things he said....

[Pirate Smile]

6. Well, Obama wasn't comatose in the 90's so I'm sure he had seen Lanny back then just like the rest

of us did.

Lanny was also quite prominent during the 2006 Connecticut Senate race as an unbelievably irritating promoter of Lieberman and attacker of the Dem candidate and Dem primary voters who booted Joe from the party.

Yeah, we know you Lanny.

[ErinBerin84]

7. I'm just trying to imagine the tone of his voice.

Like "I know you!", ya old buddy! Or. "Yeah....I know you..."


I don't get the last part. Is Lanny saying that his son is an Obama supporter? If so, wonder how he feels about Dad's Fox job, heh heh. But again, maybe I'm just misreading the article, because it's not very well written.

[Pirate Smile]

9. It sounds like it, but so is Lieberman's step-son. I don't think it is very unusual actually

considering how Obama is kicking ass with younger voters.

[ErinBerin84]

10. Ha, I wish we could contact Lieberman's step-son somehow and get him to post here!

I mean, it's kind of different when your Dad is doing something annoying...but when it's your step-dad, and that step-dad is Leibermann...ugh. Hey, maybe they have a wonderful relationship, but I still love the idea of him posting at DU..then again...maybe he already does..

Which one of you is it?

[goldcanyonaz]

3. cool, thanks for the report

[blogslut]

4. He'll win them over

He's gracious. He's kind. I bet even Lanny will be won over.

[GoldieAZ49]

5. Lanny was asked if he stood behind what he questioned Obama on

and he said yes, those questions still need to be answered and that Obama has a lot of work to do.

That was tonight on Hannity & Colmes

[blogslut]

8. Hannity & Colmes

Need I say more?

[FrenchieCat]

11. No. That's more than enough!

[Frank Booth]

12. Poor, poor Lanny.

Looks like he's realizing his gravy train's all out of gravy.

Hopefully he fades away into well-deserved obscurity.