Clinton adviser: She never pushed for convention compromise (& will cast her vote for Obama)

Clinton adviser: She never pushed for covention compromise
Posted: 06:05 PM ET

From CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley


(CNN) — A source close to Hillary Clinton insists the former presidential contender never pushed Barack Obama’s campaign to allow her supporters to place her name into nomination at the Democratic convention, and approached his team only when her camp grew “worried” over news that rising resentment among her most loyal supporters might lead to chaos in Denver.

The source describes negotiations between the Clinton and Obama campaigns as “collaborative and friendly” since she suspended her presidential run. But the source said recent talks had been focused on the logistics of campaigning for Obama.

“When was over, we sat back and waited to see what would happen,” says the Clinton adviser. “But the voices grew louder about what could come down at the convention, all those kinds of realities started to take place, the reality of what outside groups had in mind, the rumblings.

“More and more groups started to pop up. So we said ‘We are worried we are not going to be able to control it, that it might ruin the convention. What should we do about it?’”

The Obama campaign responded that Clinton’s name should be placed into nomination, says the aide. The source says that Clinton’s own suggestion at a recent fundraiser that putting her name in nomination might be “cathartic” for her supporters was merely a hypothetical response to a question.

The explanation comes amidst some complaints within the party that the Clinton camp has been out of line in its “demands.” Clinton’s supporters have also come under increasing criticism – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told one interviewer this week that the loyalists had been “less than gracious.”

Clinton herself is sending a letter to her superdelegates Thursday relating the decision, and the importance of unifying behind Obama while at the same time honoring everyone who participated.

The Clinton adviser said Clinton will cast her vote for Obama at the convention, and urge her supporters to do the same. Asked how Clinton, a superdelegate, would record her vote for Obama, the adviser said the actual details had yet to be worked out. It is also not clear whether the vote on Clinton’s nomination will be a voice vote or an electronic one, an option that has been raised in discussions.