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 Clinton called Obama on Tuesday to say that her comments to
Jeffrey Goldberg, a writer for the Atlantic magazine, were not meant
as an attack on the president. In the Atlantic interview, published
on Sunday, Clinton described U.S. policy in Syria as a failure and
said Obama's doctrine of "'don't do stupid stuff' is not an
organizing principle" for a great nation.
Her spokesman said Clinton, a potential 2016 presidential candidate,
looked forward to "hugging it out" with Obama when the two attended
the Wednesday evening party given by mutual friend and Washington
power broker Vernon Jordan on the Massachusetts island, where the
Obamas are vacationing.
Clinton was on the island to promote her book, "Hard Choices," a
memoir of her time as the nation's top diplomat under Obama, who
picked her for the post after besting her for the Democratic
presidential nomination in 2008.
Speaking to reporters before signing books on Wednesday afternoon,
Clinton said she was "absolutely" looking forward to hugging it out
with the president and said they both were committed to U.S. values
and security interests.
"We have disagreements as any partners and friends, as we are, might
very well have," Clinton said.
"But I'm proud ... that I served with him and for him, and I'm
looking forward to seeing him tonight."
Obama and his wife, Michelle, were seated together with Clinton and
her husband, former President Bill Clinton, at the birthday
celebration for Ann Jordan, Vernon Jordan's wife, White House
spokesman Eric Schultz said.
The event was held at the Farm Neck Golf Club, not the Jordans'
home, as the White House had said previously.
Schultz declined to comment on whether Clinton and Obama hugged but
said they were glad to have the chance to spend time together.
"The Obamas danced nearly every song," he said.
The White House has played down suggestions of tension between Obama
and Clinton, although some Obama aides privately expressed annoyance
over her words.
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Obama and Clinton developed a rapport during her time in the
administration. Schultz said earlier on Wednesday the two leaders
were "very close friends" who stayed in touch regularly, in person
and by telephone.
"They continue to agree on a broad majority of issues confronting
our country, even if they have the occasional policy difference,"
Schultz told reporters at a midday briefing.
"The president appreciates her counsel and advice, but more
importantly he appreciates her friendship and that's why he's
looking forward to seeing her this evening."
Both the president and his former rival have good reason to maintain
a positive relationship.
For Clinton, Obama's network of fundraisers and political strength
with key Democratic constituencies, including blacks and gays, are
assets she would like to inherit if she runs for president in 2016.
For Obama, protecting his legacy will involve ensuring that a
Democrat such as Clinton replaces him in the White House and keeps
laws including the healthcare overhaul and financial regulatory
reform on the books.
(Additional reporting by Daniel Lovering; Editing by Caren Bohan and
Paul Tait)
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