Clinton Marks Bittersweet Return to Congress With Enthusiasm, Humor
Wednesday marked Day Two of Hillary Clinton's return to Capitol Hill, a day she spent meeting with fellow Democrats in Congress while calling on her supporters to help pay off her $10 million campaign debt.
FOXNews.com
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday marked Day Two of Hillary Clinton's return to Capitol Hill, a day she spent meeting with fellow Democrats in Congress while calling on her supporters to help pay off her $10 million campaign debt.
Democrats applauded the senator in a private setting with House lawmakers, and she greeted them back with wry humor, telling them she was just glad to be back as "another superdelegate," Rep. Joseph Crowley, D-N.Y., told FOX News.
Clinton spoke to Democrats during their caucus meeting for about 10 minutes. She discussed Barack Obama's presidential bid and the importance of winning the November election, other sources inside the meeting said.
After the meeting Clinton and some of the participants chatted with reporters. The former presidential candidate said she was excited for a joint campaign appearance Friday with the presumptive Democratic nominee and said she is looking forward to fighting on Obama's behalf.
"This election is a make-or-break election, and I'm doing what I can to make sure that Senator Obama is sworn in as the next president of the United States here in this capital," Clinton said.
"I'm excited about getting back to work here in the Congress and campaigning with Senator Obama on Friday," she said, adding: "It's been a long, long period with President Bush and Vice President Cheney. And that will be ending."
Appearing with Clinton after the meeting, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., praised Clinton's unsuccessful presidential run for its benefits in strengthening the Democratic Party.
"Senator Clinton has emerged from this election the most-respected political figure in America," Pelosi said. "Because of her campaign, the Democratic Party is much more energized, much more prepared to win in November, and much better prepared to govern in January."
Aside from easing back into her full-time job, Clinton has another important issue to address: substantial campaign debt. On Wednesday she sent an e-mail asking her supporters to "keep fighting together" while pumping them for money.
"I'm so grateful for all you've done for me -- all the ways you have given your time, energy, and financial resources. But today I am asking once again for your help ridding our campaign of debt so we can keep fighting together," a Clinton campaign e-mail sent Wednesday read.
"Contribute today to help us reduce our campaign debt."
Obama is offering major assistance to Clinton as well. He appealed on Tuesday to his own top fundraisers to help her pay off her remaining debt. The two senators will appear together for the first time since Clinton dropped out of the race earlier this month in Unity, N.H., later this week.
FOX News' Chad Pergram and Aaron Bruns contributed to this report.
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