Obama: I Need the Clintons

Despite any bad blood that may exist between Barack Obama and the Clintons, Obama says the two camps will have to put it behind them in order for him to win in November.

“I am going to need them,” Obama said in an interview on CNN Wednesday, saying he envisions both Clintons campaigning “actively” in support of him and other Democrats.

Obama said he and the Clintons will be “working closely together over the next couple of weeks.”

Both camps have been making public and private efforts recently to heal wounds caused by the primary.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is holding a closed door meeting with her supporters in the House Wednesday to help rally fractured Democrats around Obama. Former President Bill Clinton is also trying to make amends, releasing his first statement of support for Obama Tuesday.

Obama in turn asked his top donors Tuesday to help cover the more the $10 million in debt the Clinton’s owe to vendors.

Obama and Sen. Clinton will make their first joint campaign appearance Friday in Unity, N.H.

The Illinois senator heavily praised the Clinton’s during the interview, calling former President Clinton “one of the most intelligent, charismatic political leaders that we have seen in a generation.” Obama called Sen. Clinton a “larger than life figure in Democratic politics” and said she will be one of his “key partners” on issue like healthcare.