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Obama-Clinton Tension Runs High in Denver

Neither side is feeling the love as convention kicks off

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2008 10:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – Months after Hillary Clinton announced her support for Barack Obama, tensions between the two camps have flared again, Politico reports, and behind-the-scenes sniping in Denver is intense. Bill Clinton is unhappy with his speech assignment—Wednesday night's theme, securing America's future, leaves him little room to revisit the successes of his own presidency—while Obama aides say Clinton associates still act like the former first couple has leverage.

Clinton backers are behaving like “Japanese soldiers in the South Pacific still fighting after the war is over,” said one Obama aide. A Clinton associate said Obama “has not demonstrated that he accepts the Clinton wing of the party.” Some 30% of Clinton supporters still don’t back Obama over McCain, a recent poll notes. But relations should warm as Clinton supporters “blow the roof off” the convention, suggests a Clinton friend.

Clinton campaigns for Obama Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in Henderson, Nev.
Clinton campaigns for Obama Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in Henderson, Nev.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Barack Obama waves onstage with Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop Thursday, July 10, 2008 in New York.
Barack Obama waves onstage with Hillary Clinton during a campaign stop Thursday, July 10, 2008 in New York.   (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Bill Clinton is reportedly unhappy with his speech topic, Securing America's Future; he'd wanted to speak on a wider range of issues.
Bill Clinton is reportedly unhappy with his speech topic, "Securing America's Future"; he'd wanted to speak on a wider range of issues.   (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)
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