The day we have been anxiously awaiting has arrived. It’s the first public campaign rally featuring a joint appearance by Dem nominee Obama and the vanquished Hillary. It all started off with the cutesy choice of the town of Unity, NH for the location of the important event, trying to show how these two are prepared to bring the party together and stand “united” for one and all. Very hyperbolic…

Both sides are looking for today to be a salve for the awkward fundraising meeting with ex-Clinton donors in Washington last night.  Obama had some kumbaya moments as when he wrote HRC a personal check to help with her campaign debt. But the overall tone emanating from the Mayflower was one of forced niceties and a common sentiment of something very near mistrust between the camps of Obama and Hillary. McAuliffe proudly proclaiming that Hillary can “do anything” while ignoring the other special guest he was supposed to introduce (that being Obama)… Hillary still  fond of looking back at her “amazing” primary fight and how historic it was - and how close she came to winning… It was a strained affair.

Will the energy of a public rally make a difference today? The Obama camp will no doubt stuff the crowd with rabid Obamamaniacs in order to keep the cheers down for HRC and strip her of whatever self-induced importance she feels she has attained.

This is going top be parsed like crazy for any signs of feuding or arrogance from either Obama or Hillary. It won’t be fair, but don’t expect anything less than body language experts popping up on cable all afternoon.

The travel arrangements to New Hampshire started off cozy enough, with both Dems flying out from D.C. in Obama’s campaign jet.

Obama and Clinton arrived at Reagan National Airport just outside Washington Friday morning at the same time in separate cars, greeting each other on the tarmac with a kiss and a handshake. They sat next to each on the plane as pilots readied for takeoff.

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