Thursday, June 05, 2008
Dark-ness Falls
None of these pics are at all spoilery ... I think they mostly come from trailers and video that has already been released to promote the film which opens in July. I can't believe it's almost time for another Batman movie! It's been far too long since we've been able to see Christian Bale running around on the big screen in a black rubber suit. As the release date draws near, I grow more anxious to see Heath Ledger in the role of The Joker. It's hard to believe he's only been gone for a few months now ... I'm hearing that his performance is utterly amazing. I can't wait to see for myself. [Source]
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It's A Wrap
Rain tested patience of fans at set of 'Transformers 2' before filming in Bethlehem concluded. Crews began packing up equipment this morning. He was one man, alone on the Fahy Bridge in Bethlehem at half past midnight Wednesday, huddled under a giant black umbrella in the driving rain. Aaron Gabriel just wanted to see fiery explosions in ''Transformers 2'' on the big screen next summer and say he was there to witness the big bang in person. He would have to wait almost three more hours until the rain took a time-out, long enough for a pyrotechnics display on the former Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces to light up the sky, sending plumes white smoke into the air. To see something like that, Gabriel was prepared to wait until the sun came up. "It's 'Transformers.' It's a huge blockbuster," he said. "How often does something like this happen in Bethlehem? I'm surprised more people aren't out here in ponchos." After three days of mayhem at the Steel site, filming in Bethlehem was expected to wrap up early this morning for the DreamWorks movie about shapeshifting robots from another planet. "Transformers 2," the first big budget movie to be shot locally in years, has drawn crowds willing to wait for hours outside the set to see if director Michael Bay would live up to his reputation for blowing things up. But only a handful -- those willing to stick it out, rain or not, until almost sunrise Tuesday and Wednesday -- witnessed the explosions. Gabriel waited on the bridge the first night along with hundreds of others. As the night wore on, patience grew thin and so did the crowd. By 5 a.m. Tuesday, Gabriel was one of about four people on the bridge who saw the first series of pyrotechnics displays, small bursts of firecracker-like explosions that, he said, crept halfway up the blast furnaces, followed by simulated automatic weapons fire. The clear weather on Monday night and early Tuesday had allowed Bay to capture most of the wide-angle shots of the Steel that he needed for the scene, said Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, who has been in close contact with the movie crew. The sequence filmed at the Steel takes place in a fictional Chinese city and includes "Transformers 2" stars Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson, according to movie officials. In the scene, which will open the movie, Duhamel and Gibson's characters will join with Chinese police and military to fight off at least one of the computer-generated "Transformers" robots. The scene also includes Black Hawk and Apache helicopters ... On Wednesday morning, the filmmakers had counted on blowing up several buildings they had assembled on the Steel site. "That was the money shot for the scene they were shooting," said Callahan. "That was the scene that had to happen." But the steady rain threatened the pyrotechnics, the blisteringly hot lights and the helicopters flying close to the Steel's blast furnaces. "They were concerned about not getting that [scene] done," Callahan said. "But they did." Despite the weather delays, the crew does not plan to film in Bethlehem for a fourth night, Callahan said, noting that Bay might film additional close-ups for the scene elsewhere. By 3 a.m. Wednesday the rain had stopped, and the distant rumble of a train on the tracks below the Fahy Bridge sounded enough like a helicopter to send the onlookers rushing for their binoculars. It was one of several false alarms. Minutes later a real helicopter began circling the set, making several passes with a spotlight. Suddenly a blast on the set, more than 1,000 feet away, shook the bridge as white smoke filled the air, prompting a chorus of cheers from the four movie fans. Sparks shot up the blast furnaces, and the bursts were followed by the sound of rapid gunfire. "That was big," said Gabriel, laughing. "All right, what's next?" ... The blast was loud enough to send about a dozen neighbors rushing to join Gabriel's group on the bridge, hoping to catch a glimpse of the explosion that lasted only seconds. About half stayed long enough to see a second blast at around 4 a.m., a repeat of the first. Then the rain came. The group became smaller and smaller. Gabriel stayed. Just before the sun rose, he saw what he had been waiting for: Another explosion sent a giant fireball shooting 20 to 30 feet in the air, he said. "It was awesome," he said. "It was completely worth it, getting soaked in the rain. ... Call me a fool for loving the big bang from an action film."
It turns out that not only were Josh Duhamel and Tyrese on set this week in Bethlehem but so was Megan Fox. She sneaked into and out of town without anyone knowing she was there ... until she had left, that is. Much love goes out to Pink reader Nina for sending me all the updates from Bethlehem, PA this week ... I can't wait to find out where the next scenes for Transformers will be filmed. [Source, Source]
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Boys Will Be Boys
Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin
In all honesty, I'd be very interesting in hearing what these two have got going on in these jam sessions. It's entirely possible that we may never get to hear what a new original collabo between these guys might sound like but something tells me that they might be up for releasing any new tunes they concoct together (much like their just released MJ collabo). I'm also interested in knowing if they prefer playing GI Joes or Transformers. [Source]
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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?
Click above to find out who it is
Now, there isn't anything wrong with a woman choosing to let her body hair grow out but it is surprising that this particular woman has decided that this is the look for her. They say that variety is the spice of life so maybe that is what this lovely lady is going for. Can YOU guess who it is? [Source]
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The Prince Of Wails ... And Hysterical Cheers
It was a reception fit for a pop idol -- and Prince Harry did his best to provide entertainment for the crowds. Hundreds of hysterical girls strained against crash barriers and burst into tears at the sight of him yesterday. Visiting Cardiff on only his second full day of solo official engagements, the 23-year- old prince looked taken aback as he stepped from his official car to hear his name being screamed. But he gamely waded in, posing for mobile phone photographs, shaking hands, holding a baby and even giving a couple of star-struck teenagers a quick hug. As he chatted with flag-waving schoolchildren at Cathays High School, 12-year-old Hollie White burst into tears. "I was just so excited to see him ... I want to see the Queen and Simon Cowell next," she sobbed. Harry told fellow redhead Matthew Taylor, 12: "Hey, gingers love gingers." The prince visited the school because it is twinned with Molapo High in Lesotho, the poverty-stricken African kingdom he supports through his charity, Sentebale. Afterwards he was driven to the University Hospital of Wales to meet workers from a Lesotho-linked charity of which he is patron. Here the scenes were equally enthusiastic and while he has never shown any intention of settling down before, the party-loving prince looked decidedly paternal as he took a walkabout. After being handed five-month-old Lexi Hailstone, who suffers from a rare chromosomal disorder and has battled meningitis, he cooed: "Isn't she sweet", before cheekily holding her up to the photographers and joking: "It's not mine!". Lexi's mother Natasha Martin, 19, said: "He was really lovely, very down to earth. He said, 'Do you want me to hold her?' He looked like he didn't want to give her back." ... Last night, the prince gave his first public speech to an event at the Millennium Stadium, joking as he took the stage: "I paid the kids to scream." Although he has carried out occasional public engagements, Harry's last full day of visits took place around his 18th birthday in September 2002, when he met young offenders and went to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Yeah, Harry is a rock star. Prince Wills may be the next in line to the throne of England (after their father Prince Charles) but Harry seems to be the king of the British people's hearts ... especially the portion of the British population that is female and aged 8-25. This image of Harry is nice and all but I think I much prefer the party pics of Harry cutting loose -- those pics always seem to be very entertaining. [Source]
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Orange You Glad You Don't Look Like This?
The funny thing is that when Elliot looks this orange, he's purposely trying to look this orange. At least Anne has the excuse of shooting a scene for her movie ... right? Between these two, there may be a big shortage on fake tanner over the coming summer months. Yeesh! [Source]
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The TV Guide: Mr. Clean
I'm excited that David arrives here in LA tomorrow night but I still have a few things to take care of before he gets here. I was bummed that I couldn't attend the comittment ceremony event at The Abbey last night but I had so much stuff to take care of (including watching the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup Championship) that I needed to be home. I think I will be able to attend an A|X event later on tonight which will be hosted by A|X underwear model (and Reichen Lehmkuhl paramour) Ryan Barry.
Things on the redesign front are coming along nicely ... I think we'll be ready to launch on time to my satisfaction ... tho, we're still just under a week away. I don't know that the tweaking will ever be finished but I am excited for all y'all to see what the new site will look like ;)
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Les News: You Can't Trust ET, JL Spears Busts A Photog, No Wedding For Rosie
- Brangelina claim that ET knew that their Angelina story was fake and decided to run with it anyways.
- Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff are dunzo!
- TR Knight reveals that he was "surprised" that his new boyfriend Mark Cornelson, 16 years his junior, was interested in him.
- This year's American Idol runner-up scores a record deal.
- Jamie Lynn Spears has a photog arrested for stalking her.
- OOOOOOH, so Entertainment Tonight can blame "the blogs" for their shoddy misreporting that Angelina Jolie gave birth when she really didn't.
- Still no TV show for Speidi but Whitney Port is getting her own Hills spin-off.
- Whatevs, Anderson Cooper you can be my boo.
- Oh La La Mag have an entire recap of last night's commitment ceremony at The Abbey HERE.
- Please gods, say it isn't so.
- Nikki Cox's lips are now certified as flotation devices.
- The Pussycat Dolls get Britney Spears to appear in their new music video.
- Speidi really cashed in over the last couple of years.
- Chad Allen is 34, Mark Wahlberg is 37 and Suze Orman is 57 years old today. Click HERE to see who else is celebrating a birthday today.
- Rupert Everett reveals just how sad, old and bitchy he has become.
- Wait ... Michael Jackson is too weird for Las Vegas? LOL!
- Rosie O'Donnell is in no hurry to marry her longtime partner Kelli now that it's legal for same-sex couples to wed in California.
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The Stanley Cup Is Coming Home To Hockey Town
The Detroit Red Wings, stunned to have lost Game 5 at home in triple overtime, played a perfect road game Wednesday night at Mellon Arena, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-2, in Game 6 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Final to go wire-to-wire as the best team in the National Hockey League this season. "It's never easy," Wings goalie Chris Osgood said. "Toughest trophy in sports to win; it lives for that name every year, that nickname. It was difficult, again. Pittsburgh is a great young team ... gave us all we could handle. Probably one of the most difficult series I've played in a while. They have a talented team. They held on right to the end again. They kept pushing us still." Henrik Zetterberg was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the postseason and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European captain to lift the Stanley Cup aloft. "It felt great being the first guy to touch the Cup on our team," the classy Lidstrom said. "Otherwise it felt the same as winning the previous ones, where you're so happy with the end result. You start training camp with a goal, and that is to win the Stanley Cup. You talk about it throughout the season and the way you have to play to be able to be successful in the playoffs," Lidstrom said. "And we had a good regular season, and we were able to carry that into the playoffs, too, and so that's something I'm more proud the way the team played in the playoffs, too. It was a tough loss last year against Anaheim in the conference finals, but most of the guys were on that team last year. And this time around, I thought the team really responded well to some of the adversity we faced throughout the run." The Wings won the Presidents' Trophy for the best record in the regular season and proved to be the best team in the postseason as well, utilizing the smart, selfless brand of puck-possession hockey that has become the trademark of coach Mike Babcock. "I probably haven't come to grips with that," Babcock said when asked his emotions after winning his first Stanley Cup. "But to be able to share this journey with the guys and to be able to share it with the city of Detroit, and obviously my family, that's very emotional. And I'm sure I'm going to have some emotional moments in the next week just thinking about it. But to have your name on the Stanley Cup, pretty special. The interesting thing is when you're playing in the Stanley Cup Final like this and it's a closeout game, the emotion on your bench is so much more than you've had to deal with," he said. "Getting guys on and off the ice is more difficult, and yet we have a real committed group. Nicklas Lidstrom, in my opinion, is a phenomenal leader and captain with his poise and his skill. And then the support group in (Chris) Chelios and (Kris) Draper. And (Pavel) Datsyuk and (Henrik) Zetterberg, for their leadership. You know, we have a very special team, and we're thrilled to be in this situation, obviously." The Wings last won the Cup in 2002, and prior to that in 1997 and '98.
Again, much love and respect goes out to the Pittsburgh Penguins for giving us an amazingly thrilling NHL Finals ... they proved that they are a team to be reckoned with and really made the Wings work for their victory. All my love goes out to my Detroit boys for bringing the Stanley Cup back home to Hockey Town. I can't wait to get back to Detroit Rock City to celebrate with my peeps. Put your hands up for Detroit, y'all ... our lovely city deserves much props today! [Source]
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SJP Does Marie Claire Magazine
IN THE BEGINNING
Darren Star (SATC creator): My idea was that this could be sort of a Mary Tyler Moore Show for the new millennium. It wasn't about T&A. It would be R-rated, but it had to be funny.
Cindy Chupack (executive producer): On HBO we could use language and show sex without pressure from sponsors—like when we wanted to do an episode about Miranda's deciding whether to keep the baby or have an abortion. I don't know how you could have done that on network television as honestly as we did. Have your main character admit that she'd had one? It felt like a luxury that there was no pressure other than what would be true for these characters.
Chris Noth (Mr. Big): It started slow and then it just sort of exploded. All of New York just changed at the same time, really. It all became Cosmos and the Meatpacking District. I remember being really sort of in shock and awe.
THE GOSSIP
It was said you were the holdout on making the movie. Why?
Kim Cattrall (Samantha Jones): Four years ago I was going through a painful public divorce, the series was coming to an end, and my father was diagnosed with dementia. I felt it was time to be with my real family. A year-and-a-half ago, when I was sent the script, I was ready and strong enough to revisit Samantha. In some ways, I'm glad we waited. The script and the experience of making the movie was the best possible reunion.
Mario Cantone (Anthony Marantino): Certain people were vilified in some articles, and others were vilified in other articles. It's interesting how they never write stuff like that about the men on The Sopranos. They always go after the women. They just do.
BETWEEN THE SHEETS
Darren Star: These were women who were objectifying men. And it was sort of jarring. Men aren't used to hearing themselves depersonalized and referred to as Mr. This or Mr. That. I think if you had a show with that sort of locker-room talk from a bunch of guys talking about women, it would be a little "yuck."
Kristin Davis: One time [when Charlotte dropped her robe in front of Trey], I mistakenly showed my nipples. But it was a hard scene to shoot, and I had enjoyed that take so much, I said OK. HBO sent me a copy to approve.
Cynthia Nixon: Most of my sex scenes were comic—the dirty talker, the marathon man, the guy who wants to kiss my ass and wants me to do the same to him.
The whole interview (which you can read HERE) is a really great read. At this point, I'm still not over the hoopla surrounding the movie. I've already enjoyed seeing it a couple of times and wouldn't mind seeing it again. I may hold off for a while, tho ... there are other movies to be seen. Thankfully, there seems to be no shortage of magazine interviews like this Marie Claire one to read to tide me over. [Source]
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Take A Bow (Tie)
Photo credit: Wireimage
Fashion conscious David Beckham looks a dog's dinner for friend Gordon Ramsay's Los Angeles restaurant launch. If Gordon was ever short of waiting staff then he need to look no further than his good friends. Maybe that's what David Beckham thought was required of him when he turned up to the opening of Ramsay's new restaurant at the The London West Hollywood last night. Looking remarkably like a waiter in a crisp white shirt, waistcoat and dickie bow, Becks turned out to support his celebrity chef pal while avoiding the female diners who were no doubt queuing up to give him their orders. Beckham came out to support pal Ramsay at the opening of Gordon Ramsay at the London, West Hollywood hotel last night, as did Simon Cowell's girlfriend Terri Seymour. This is the first restaurant in Los Angeles for the fiery 41-year-old chef. It is located in the former Bel-Age hotel on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, the hotel has recently been renovated and re-named the London West Hollywood. The winner of his US reality TV show, Hell's Kitchen, was promised the title of senior sous chef at London West Hollywood, plus £125,000 cash. The final episode of the season airs next month.
Truth be told, I don't really mind Becks in this get-up ... he looks cute in his little vest and bow tie. He can take my order anytime he likes. I’d happily let him fill my water glass. Instead of Check, please I'd be saying Becks, please! Uh, okay ... I'll stop with the lame waiter jokes ;) This is kinda a cute look for him ... I hope we see more of Becks in a bow tie. [Source]
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From A-List To D-List
Photo credit: Wireimage
It is amazing that an awards show called the A-List Awards managed to take place without any A-Listers on board. But hey, they got Tila Tequila to show up so I guess it was mission: accomplished. The show taped live last night but won't air on Bravo until June 12 at 10PM.
Since the show hasn't aired yet, I can only guess that Kathy Griffin managed to pull off an entertaining evening of hilarity ... which is where these next photos of Kathy with BFF Lance Bass come in:
Photo credit: Wireimage
Click above to see larger, uncensored images
I'm assuming that Kathy and Lance were doing a little skit parodying the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake wardrobe malfunction that swept the globe a few years ago. Even tho the bit is a bit dated (well, it's pretty ancient to be completely honest), I like that they updated it with busting out the fake penis in Lance's pants. Of course, I would be very surprised if the fake appendage in this photo is really representative of his actual appendage. In any event, I know that *I* can't wait to find out who will be taking home the awards for A-List Drama Queen, A-List Everywhere and A-List Restaurant. Okay, so mebbe I don't really care since these categories sound horribly lame ... but still, I love Kathy Griffin so I'll be tuning in to watch in the hopes of enjoying some measure of hilarity ... especially since it doesn't look like there'll be much celebrity to enjoy ;)
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A Commitment To Love
Just weeks after winning the right to marry, dozens of same-sex couples took part in a symbolic commitment ceremony in West Hollywood. But Wednesday night's event wasn't just a celebration of love and a court victory. It also was a vow to keep fighting, because a ballot measure in November could take away what was won. "I take nothing for granted," said Sonora Chase, 35, who participated in the event with her partner Dasha Snyder, 37. The couple plans to marry in the coming months, but say they are proceeding knowing their union could be invalidated if the measure passes. This was a third year in a row that The Abbey, a popular lounge, kicked off Gay Pride month in Los Angeles with such a ceremony. Faded pink rose petals sprinkled the white carpet as a guitarist performed Pachelbel's "Canon in D." The crowd of family and friends gathered in support as their loved ones stood in front of the mayor of West Hollywood to take a vow. "Your joined hands are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual bond," Mayor Jeffrey Prang said, "signifying to all your commitment to each other and your commitment in vowing to vote and protect your right to love." Then, before a cadre of television celebrities and the family of a modern gay rights martyr, the couples sealed the pledge with kisses. Earlier Wednesday, the California Supreme Court refused to stay its May decision legalizing gay marriage. Counties must begin issuing new gender-neutral marriage licenses on June 17 ... the event drew celebrities who in this case served as witnesses. "Grey's Anatomy" co-star T.R. Knight hosted the event accompanied by his boyfriend, Mark Cornelsen, but they did not join the other couples marching down the white carpet to exchange vows. "There's a lot of hate around and until that hate disappears, you're going to have people trying to push down another group of people for whatever reason," Knight said. Fresh from "The Tonight Show" set and a March dustup over a show in which he asked actor Ryan Phillipe to portray his "gayest face," Jay Leno dropped by briefly to lend support. "I have friends in the gay community. Who doesn't know gay people in Hollywood?" Leno joked. Wednesday's event also had a commercial sponsor and a designated cause, the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the nonprofit established by the family of the University of Wyoming student who was beaten to death in 1998 by two men who suspected he was gay. New York jewelry designer Udi Behr gave participating couples titanium pendants engraved with the words "Erase Hate" - the foundation's slogan. Behr, who designs a line of wedding rings for same-sex couples, said business was good. He seemed less upbeat, though, about the country's gay-rights struggle - even in the wake of the decision of the state's high court. "It's a drop in the ocean," Behr said. "There is a lot more to do." Matthew Shepard's mother, Judy, provided a poignant reminder of how much the gay rights movement had gained since his murder and of how much remained at stake. She recalled sitting with her son in his apartment the summer before his death and having him ask whether she thought gay men and lesbians would be able to marry in his lifetime. "I said, 'Not in my lifetime, but definitely in yours,'" Shepard recalled. "It happened in my lifetime, not his." [Source]
My boys Steph and Alek were on hand at last night's ceremony at The Abbey and they graciously share these photos from the event with all of us:
Photo credit: OhLaLaMag.com
Words cannot express how amazing all of this is right now. Despite the fact that this commitment ceremony has no legal standing, it is very heartening to see these folks publicly pledging their love to one another no matter the circumstance. It's still a bit unbelievable that same-sex couples will be allowed official marriage licenses to be wed in the state of California starting on June 17. I am confident that we will, one day, reach a point in this country where discrimination against same-sex marriage will be a thing of the past. Our country was founded on the principles of equality, liberty and justice for all ... these are the first steps to ensuring that those principles be afforded to all couples who wish to marry in this country -- equally.
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NIN Announce: Lights In The Sky
Additionally, the official NIN Flickr page has been updated with images from the first tour rehearsal:
And finally, a tour EP sampler containing songs from all of the bands (A Place To Bury Strangers, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Crystal Castles and Deerhunter) that are supporting NIN on the Lights in the Sky Tour is being made available for FREE download HERE:
The last of the tour date presales will happen by the end of the month so I would suggest you make plans to get your tickets early. David and I were lucky enough to be able to see Nine Inch Nails in Barcelona, Spain last year but I'm very much looking forward to seeing the band here in the US. I'm planning on going to the Toledo, OH show in August and the Inglewood, CA show in September. Holla!
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Hillary Clinton Ends Her Run; Will Endorse Barack Obama
I wanted you to be one of the first to know: on Saturday, I will hold an event in Washington D.C. to thank everyone who has supported my campaign. Over the course of the last 16 months, I have been privileged and touched to witness the incredible dedication and sacrifice of so many people working for our campaign. Every minute you put into helping us win, every dollar you gave to keep up the fight meant more to me than I can ever possibly tell you.
On Saturday, I will extend my congratulations to Senator Obama and my support for his candidacy. This has been a long and hard-fought campaign, but as I have always said, my differences with Senator Obama are small compared to the differences we have with Senator McCain and the Republicans.
I have said throughout the campaign that I would strongly support Senator Obama if he were the Democratic Party's nominee, and I intend to deliver on that promise.
When I decided to run for president, I knew exactly why I was getting into this race: to work hard every day for the millions of Americans who need a voice in the White House.
I made you -- and everyone who supported me -- a promise: to stand up for our shared values and to never back down. I'm going to keep that promise today, tomorrow, and for the rest of my life.
I will be speaking on Saturday about how together we can rally the party behind Senator Obama. The stakes are too high and the task before us too important to do otherwise.
I know as I continue my lifelong work for a stronger America and a better world, I will turn to you for the support, the strength, and the commitment that you have shown me in the past 16 months. And I will always keep faith with the issues and causes that are important to you.
In the past few days, you have shown that support once again with hundreds of thousands of messages to the campaign, and again, I am touched by your thoughtfulness and kindness.
I can never possibly express my gratitude, so let me say simply, thank you.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
The New York Times explains Clinton's plans for her endorsement and how the Democratic Party is planning to unify and move forward from this point on:
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton will endorse Senator Barack Obama on Saturday, bringing a close to her 17-month campaign for the White House, aides said. Her decision came after Democrats urged her Wednesday to leave the race and allow the party to coalesce around Mr. Obama. Howard Wolfson, one of Mrs. Clinton's chief strategists, and other aides said she would express support for Mr. Obama and party unity at an event in Washington that day. One adviser said Mrs. Clinton would concede defeat, congratulate Mr. Obama and proclaim him the party's nominee, while pledging to do what was needed to assure his victory in November. Her decision came after a day of conversations with supporters on Capitol Hill about her future now that Mr. Obama had clinched the nomination. Mrs. Clinton had, in a speech after Tuesday night’s primaries, suggested she wanted to wait before deciding about her future, but in conversations Wednesday, her aides said, she was urged to step aside. "We pledged to support her to the end," Representative Charles B. Rangel, a New York Democrat who has been a patron of Mrs. Clinton since she first ran for the Senate, said in an interview. "Our problem is not being able to determine when the hell the end is." Mrs. Clinton's decision came as some of her most prominent supporters — including former Vice President Walter F. Mondale — announced they were now backing Mr. Obama. "I was for Hillary — I wasn't against Obama, who I think is very talented," Mr. Mondale said. "I'm glad we made a decision and I hope we can unite our party and move forward." One of Mrs. Clinton's aides said they were told that except for her senior advisers, there was no reason to report to work after Friday, and that they were invited to Mrs. Clinton's house for a farewell celebration. The announcement from Mrs. Clinton was moved to Saturday to accommodate more supporters who wanted to attend, aides said. "Senator Clinton will be hosting an event in Washington, D.C., to thank her supporters and express her support for Senator Obama and party unity," Mr. Wolfson said. Mr. Obama, not waiting for a formal concession from Mrs. Clinton, announced a three-member vice-presidential selection committee that will include Caroline Kennedy, who has become a close personal adviser since endorsing him four months ago. With some Democrats promoting Mrs. Clinton as Mr. Obama's No. 2, his aides said they would move slowly in the search, allowing passions from the bruising primary battles to cool. "Now that the interfamily squabble is done," Mr. Obama said Wednesday evening at a Manhattan fund-raiser, "all of us can focus on what needs to be done in November." Earlier Wednesday, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton crossed paths briefly in Washington. As he left the Capitol, Mr. Obama told reporters, "We're going to have a conversation in the coming weeks." ... Aides to Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton said that at least some of Mrs. Clinton's fund-raisers would move to join the Obama campaign. Still, with the realization of defeat still settling in, it appeared that most of her major financial backers were holding back until they got a clearer signal from Mrs. Clinton of her intentions. "I'm being aggressively courted by folks in the Obama campaign," said Mark Aronchick, a Philadelphia lawyer, who is a national finance co-chairman. "I've told them all, 'Everybody relax. Take a deep breath. There's time enough here.'" On Thursday, Mr. Obama planned to head to the southwestern tip of Virginia, in Appalachia, to begin courting voters in a state that traditionally goes Republican but could be a battleground in the fall. Then, he intends to take a few days to strategize privately about the general-election campaign.
I am very much looking forward to the unification of the Democratic Party so that we can all work together and ensure that we take back the White House. I echo Mondale's sentiments, I was for Hillary Clinton and always believed she would make an outstanding President and was never against Barack Obama. Now that he has emerged as the Democratic nominee, I fully endorse his campaign and plan to do whatever I can to help him become the next President of the United States. This election is very important, y'all. It is vital that we make a serious change in leadership or our country is going to suffer further. I have no doubt in my mind that Barack Obama will be able to bring us the change that our country desperately needs. [Source]
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