Obama, Clinton Downplay Alleged Discord

Aides to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama issued a statement of unity, saying they were working together to ensure victory in the U.S. presidential election.

The statement was issued after a report that Clinton, Obama’s rival for the the Democratic Party nomination for president, suggested she was weighing her options during a California fundraiser, Politico reported Thursday.

“I happen to believe that we will come out stronger if people feel that their voices were heard and their views were respected. I think that is a very big part of how we actually come out unified,” ABC News reported Clinton as saying. “No decisions have been made. And so we are trying to work all this through with the (Democratic National Convention) and with the Obama campaign.”

An e-mail message issued the press offices of Clinton and Obama, the presumptive party nominee, downplayed possible conflict, the Washington publication said.

“We are working together to make sure the fall campaign and the convention are a success. At the Democratic Convention, we will ensure that the voices of everyone who participated in this historic process are respected and our party will be fully unified heading into the November election,” the statement said.

Matt Seyfang, versed in DNC operations, pointed out the ABC story noted Clinton “is not ruling out having her name placed in nomination,” which she could use to ensure her supporters are heard during the convention, Politco said.