Unity: "Today our hearts are set on the same destination for America."

By Michael J.W. Stickings

As many of you already know, I'm sure, Obama and Clinton appeared together today at a rally in Unity, New Hampshire. After a long and sometimes bitter campaign, one that drove a wedge into the heart and soul of the Democratic Party, one that was trumped up by the typical media sensationalism that drives the news cycles, it was a welcome display of what I take to be genuine friendship between these two towering figures in the party. The media are calling it "choreographed," but there was never much difference between Obama and Clinton -- and there was never as much disunity in the party as was often suggested.

There are lingering bad feelings, no doubt, notably among some of Clinton's supporters, but today's rally was a positive display of unity that should resonate among those still in doubt. What I took from the primary campaign was evidence of a strong party able to withstand a tough race, a strong party that was united throughout in terms of policy, a strong party that was prepared for the general election campaign and to take back the White House. The media wanted drama, and they got it, but the race ended as it should have, with the candidate with the most votes and the most delegates winning the nomination and with the candidate who came so close putting aside the bitterness of the past, withdrawing graciously, and, today, appearing alongside the nominee and offering nothing but the fullest support.

And it is just the beginning.

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The Obama campaign has posted a lengthy clip of the rally that you can watch here. Below is a shorter clip from TPM TV. Make sure to watch it.