Hillary Weighs in on Debate

[Scoops]

In a phone interview Friday on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show, she said, "[Democratic Sen.] Joe Biden was great. He put forward a flawless performance. I, like probably everybody else watching, was so moved by the authentic grief that caught in his throat when he talked about his own personal experience." (During the debate, Biden got choked up while recalling a car accident that killed his wife and daughter and injured his sons.)

"I was very up and happy about Joe, whom I've known for a long time," Clinton added. "I thought the debate was another good way for people to help themselves make up their minds."

As for Republican Gov. Sarah Palin, "I think she's very good. I always thought she would do well," Clinton said. "It's amazing. She's been thrust into the national spotlight with very little preparation.

"All things considered, you saw a very composed and effective debater last night," Clinton said.

Despite Palin's performance Thursday, Clinton said, "the real issue is, who is better for America?

"The McCain/Palin ticket, as we saw last night, is offering the same SPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAMSPAM that helped us get where we are today," she said.

Asked if it was tough to watch the debates last night (given that she was once a close presidential candidate), Clinton laughed.

"It's not hard for me to watch somebody else debate, but it's always hard to watch my husband and watch myself," she said. "To watch somebody else... I enjoy it. I get a lot out of it."

Later in the interview, Clinton (who will attend an Obama fundraiser this weekend) continued to praise the Democratic presidential hopeful.

"I think, again, last night Joe and Barack conveyed a sense of mastery and expertise that we have to have in our next Democratic White House," she said. "I am really hopeful we're going to elect strong Democrats."

Before the interview ended, Clinton urged "everybody to get involved and understand how much is at take in this election. Come out and support our ticket."

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That was a good interview. I liked what she said.

[amber]

here is something I thought was interesting too...hope you don't mind if I add it too this thread scoops.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Together Again in Arkansas
October 03, 2008 02:12 PM ET | Paul Bedard | Permanent Link | Print
Arkansas could go blue if left up to the Clintons. It hasn't since 1996, when native son Bill Clinton was up for re-election, but Democrats are giving it their all. Hillary Clinton returns to Arkansas October 10 for a rally and a $1,000-a-couple fundraiser reception for Barack Obama at old pal Kaki Hockersmith's Italian-style mansion. You might remember Hockersmith; she's the interior designer who refurbished the White House and the Oval Office in 1992. She also designed Clinton's penthouse at his presidential library. Hockersmith and her husband, Max Mehlberger, are longtime Hillary supporters and hosted a fundraiser for the New York senator during the primary season. They have hosted numerous Democratic fundraisers over the years, including one for John Kerry in 2004. Hockersmith was listed as a Hillary bundler this year, having raised more than $100,000 for Hillary.

One of the event's cohosts, Lisa Ferrell, a Little Rock attorney and former state legislator, was an Obama supporter when being one in Arkansas was not cool. "It's exciting for longtime Obama supporters and longtime Clinton supporters to join together," Ferrell tells our Suzi Parker. Ferrell knows Obama. They attended Harvard Law School together, and she remembers him as a leader. "He would walk into a room with people, and people would look to him to be a leader—not that he would assert himself but that he could mediate. His leadership qualities were evident." Ferrell, who attended the Democratic convention in Denver, has kept up with Obama through mutual friends.