Aug 25, 2008 7:18 pm US/Eastern
Clinton: 'I Do Not Approve' McCain's New Message
Senator Lashes Out Atr New Spot Featuring Supporter
DENVER (CBS) ―
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Michelle Obama stands on stage during a soound check for the Democratic National Convention at the Pepsi Center Aug. 25, 2008, in Denver.
Max Whittaker/Getty Images
All eyes are on Denver right now, with the Democratic National Convention underway and history in the making. With Sen. Barack Obama out on the campaign trail, Sen. Hillary Clinton stepped back into the spotlight, pushing for party unity.
Clinton is getting ready to release her hard-won delegates to Obama, while firing back at a new ad from the McCain campaign. She's trying to prove that she's a good Democratic party soldier and that she's four-square behind the ticket.
Clinton was feeling the love at the New York Delegation breakfast Monday morning. Her message to those most passionate about her candidacy was, if you love her, vote for him.
"I ask you to work as hard for Barack and Joe Biden as you did for me," she said.
Even though she's not on the ticket, New York's junior senator has become the focal point of the early days of the convention because of questions about whether her delegates will really go all out for Obama.
"It's gonna take a little time. We worked so hard for her, she would have been a good president," said Queens delegate Gloria D'Amico.
"I've been married a long time. I didn't believe in kiss and make up," said Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel. "It's gonna take a little while. We have to be gentle with it."
Clinton's also become a lightning rod for the Republicans who put a Clinton supporter in their latest ad.
"She had the experience and judgment to be president. Now in a first for me, I'm supporting a Republican, John McCain," the supporter says in the ad.
The ad so upset Clinton that she pushed back.
"I'm Hillary Clinton, and I do not approve that message," she said of the spot.
Afterwards, she remains on the defensive about how she would get her delegates to enthusiastically support Obama.
"If you voted for me, you have to know you would be more comfortable with the positions I took with Barack Obama than John McCain," she said.
Still, Republicans continued to try to exploit the divide.
"There are a lot of Democrats here who are not ready to vote for Barack Obama because they don't think he's ready to be president, and they are looking very hard at John McCain," said McCain Campaign Co-Chair Carly Fiorina.
Some New Yorkers are already on the Obama bandwagon, but some others say it will take a while.
"Some of the Clinton supporters feel she was disenfranchised, bitter," said Valley Stream delegate Gregory Ford.
"Some people will hold back support, but I think they have to realize we have to come together and take on McCain. He's the real enemy, not each other," added Mitchell Partnow of Bergin Beach.
Clinton plans to meet with all her delegates on Wednesday afternoon before the roll-call vote. She will tell them she plans to vote for Obama and they should too.
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