Obama and Clinton to show their unity

Former US Presidential rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton plan to campaign together on Friday in the small New Hampshire town of Unity, their first joint appearance meant to ease tensions over the closely fought Democratic primary.

The location, was chosen not only for the symbolism of its name, but because each candidate received exactly 107 votes there in the January primary Clinton won.

New Hampshire is a critical battleground state in the November election. Republican John McCain won the state’s primary in his unsuccessful 2000 presidential bid and prevailed again this year.

Former President Bill Clinton does not plan to appear with his wife and Obama, ceding the spotlight to the two former foes.

The rally will be the day after Obama and Clinton meet privately on Thursday at a Washington hotel with former Clinton donors.

The former first lady will introduce Obama to her financial backers who have been slow to embrace her one-time opponent.

Clinton, a New York senator, suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination earlier this month after Obama, an Illinois senator, secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination. “I endorse him and throw my full support behind him,” she said at the time.

Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee said she will make the same pitch to her supporters that they should support Obama “with everything we still need to accomplish and with the stakes as high as they are.”

Obama and Clinton spoke by phone Sunday night.