Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton finally got together on the campaign trail today. At 1:20 p.m., the two stepped to the podium placed on an outdoor stage in Unity, N.H., with arms around each other, whispering in each other's ears and smiling. It was the picture of a unified party leadership, the symbolism this event was supposed to deliver.

Clinton spoke first -- with Obama sitting just to her side -- and mentioned the downballot Democratic candidates running for Congress in the state: freshman Democratic Reps. Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter, and Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen, the former governor who is challenging GOP Sen. John Sununu. Clinton said Obama will need as many Democratic senators as possible when he's president.

"Today we are coming together for the same goal," Clinton said. "To elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States. I was honored to be in this race with Barack, and I am proud we had a spirited dialogue." That last line brought laughter from the crowd, to which Clinton appeared to ad-lib: "That was the nicest way I could think of phrasing it," which brought on even more laughter.

"We are one party," Clinton said. "We are one America. And we are not going to rest until we take back our country and put it once again on the path to peace, prosperity and progress in the 21st century."

Clinton delivered a one-liner, tying John McCain to Pres. Bush. "Senator McCain and President Bush are like two sides of the same coin, and it doesn't amount to a whole lot of change." Clinton then needed just one line to get across the message that was the central theme of the event. "To anyone who voted for me and is now considering not voting or voting for Senator McCain," Clinton said, "I strongly urge you to reconsider."

After Clinton's speech, Obama took to the podium, thanked Clinton, and made clear that he valued the contributions of both Clintons. "I know how much we need both Bill and Hillary Clinton as a party and as a country in the months and years to come. They have done so much great work...The American people need their service and their vision and their wisdom."

"It's fitting that we meet in a place called Unity," Obama said, "because the truth is, that's the only way we can solve the challenges facing this country."

Obama noted a number of issues that Clinton and he agree on, such as health care. "You can go with John McCain's plans to do nothing, or you can stand side-by-side with me and Hillary Clinton, and finally, once and for all, provide the health care that every American needs in this nation."