Wednesday, 29 June 2016

Clinton, Obama reschedule first 2016 joint appearance

Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama will campaign together for the first time in 2016 when they meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, Clinton's campaign said.

The joint appearance was first set for earlier in June in Wisconsin, but was rescheduled in the wake of the Orlando terrorist attack. Clinton aides hope the event, which comes weeks after Obama officially endorsed Clinton, will help unify the Democratic Party around the former secretary of state and preview the way the President will stump for Clinton before November's election.

"In Charlotte, President Obama and Hillary Clinton will discuss building on the progress we've made and their vision for an America that is stronger together," the Clinton campaign said in its announcement on Wednesday.

Clinton aides believe Obama will be able to reach out to voters who flocked to him in 2008 and 2012. He will travel to white suburbs in the Rust Belt and the Midwest and will campaign in African-American communities in North Carolina, Virginia and other swing states for the presumptive Democratic nominee, according to aides.

Obama is also expected to visit Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania and other battleground states he carried during his elections, including Colorado, Florida and Michigan‎.

North Carolina is seen by Clinton aides as the state won by 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney that is most likely to flip to Clinton in 2016. Clinton and her aligned super PACs have already begun dumping millions of advertising into the swing state.

Clinton visited Raleigh, North Carolina, earlier this month for a speech on the economy.

Clinton and Obama were fierce rivals when the ran against each other in 2008, but after Obama tapped Clinton to serve as his secretary of state, the two began to build what they now call a friendship.

"I don't think there's ever been someone so qualified to hold this office," Obama said earlier this month in a video in which he endorsed Clinton.

"I want those of you who have been with me since the beginning of this incredible journey to be the first to know that I'm with her," Obama continued. "I am fired up. And I can't wait to get out there and campaign with Hillary."

CNN's Athena Jones contributed to this report.