I was lucky enough to attend a campaign briefing with David Axelrod this afternoon in Dallas and wanted to pass along some tidbits.
David was asked what the Obama campaign and Senator Obama were doing to reach out to those who voted for Senator Clinton in the primary. In response, he said that Senator Obama would be drawing contrasts between Senator McCain and himself--on choice and healthcare, for example--that would make it clear which candidate has the back of Senator Clinton and her supporters.
Second, the campaign is being contacted by high-profile Clinton endorsers and plans to have them speak out on behalf of Senator Obama. For example, David noted that he spoke with a member of the National Women's Political Caucus today and that the organization would provide whatever outreach it can to Senator Clinton's supporters. He twice mentioned the bump in Obama's polling versus McCain with women over a week ago. I am excited about an endorsement from this important organization that will accelerate the healing in our party.
There were several names thrown out as possible VP choices. One woman voiced her concern that Senator Clinton would be the choice, arguing that she undercut the theme of change for which Obama had been nominated. In response to an attendee throwing his support behind Senator Webb, David noted that the Senator was on every short list he had seen, while another person commented that what we really need is a retiring hispanic female general. David said he'd work on that.