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Washington: Senator Hillary Clinton is to join Senator Barack Obama on the campaign trail for the first time since their long and acrimonious tussle for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The former First Lady has already conceded defeat but their joint appearance on Friday, the details of which have yet to be finalised, will present a strong image of party unity ahead of November's election, amid lingering frustration among some supporters.
For some of her fans it will also sustain hopes of her being placed on a "dream ticket" as Obama's vice-presidential running mate.
In primary election exit polls, roughly 20 per cent of Clinton voters said they would rather vote for Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate, than Obama.
Her willingness to campaign with her former rival could be crucial to him winning large swing states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida, where blue-collar workers largely shunned the young challenger.
The 46-year-old senator, who defied all predictions by beating his more experienced and better known opponent, has already rallied high-profile Clinton supporters behind his cause.
Last week prominent Clinton backers, such as Madeleine Albright, a former secretary of state, and retired General Wesley Clark, joined him in meetings on national security.
He has also secured the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a political powerhouse union that was a strong supporter of Clinton.
Hollywood stars with long Clinton associations have also aligned themselves with Obama, who is the first black presidential nominee for either major party.
He will speak at what is expected to be a star-studded fund-raising dinner in Los Angeles on Tuesday, where the singer Seal will be the main act.
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