Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton take the first step toward healing the wounds of their bruising presidential nominating fight with a joint appearance today in the symbolically named New Hampshire town of
Unity.
The rally will be the first time the former rivals have shared a stage in public since Mr Obama clinched the Democratic nomination earlier this month and began trying to mend the rifts caused by their epic 16-month campaign struggle.
The Illinois senator has tread cautiously in courting Mr Clinton and her millions of supporters, including some still angry about the outcome of the Democratic race, as he tries to unify Democrats for November's election race against Republican John McCain.
He told reporters earlier this week he hoped the joint appearance in New Hampshire signaled an active role for the New York senator in his White House race.
"I want her campaigning as much as she can," Mr Obama said. "She was a terrific campaigner. She, I think, inspired millions of people, and so she can be an extraordinarily effective surrogate for me and the values and ideals we share as Democrats."
Mrs Clinton, who returned to her Senate duties in Washington this week for the first time since dropping out of the Democratic race on June 7th, offered strong praise for Mr Obama during two public appearances yesterday.
"I have seen his passion and determination and his grit and his grace," she told a nurse's association in Washington, asking them to back Mr Obama.
Mrs Clinton introduced Mr Obama to her top fundraisers at a private meeting in Washington last night. Mr Obama already had asked his big donors to help her pay off more than $10 million she owes to campaign debtors.
Mrs Clinton, who entered the race in January 2007 a heavy favorite, battled Obama to the end of voting on June 3rd in a race that embittered some of her supporters - particularly some of the female backers who formed her core constituency.
Whether Mr Obama can win over all of those supporters remains unclear, but many public opinion polls show him solidifying his Democratic backing in recent weeks and moving out to a clear national lead on Mr McCain.
The tiny town of Unity in New Hampshire, near the Vermont border, was chosen for the rally not only for the obvious symbolism of its name but because the state will be a critical battleground in the race with Mr McCain.
Democrat John Kerry narrowly captured New Hampshire in the 2004 race against Republican President George W. Bush, but Bush beat Democrat Al Gore there in a close race in 2000.