by NPR Political Unit

Barack Obama and his primary-season antagonist Bill Clinton ate lunch together today at Clinton's office in Harlem. A joint statement from their press shops says "They discussed the campaign briefly, but mostly talked about how the world has changed since September 11, 2001."

Before they dined (apparently on sandwiches and flatbread pizza from Cosi...although "beverages were unspecified"), they spoke briefly with the press pool. Clinton, who quelled fears of intra-party tension with an enthusiastically pro-Obama speech at the DNC in Denver, told the reporters he'll do "whatever I'm asked" on behalf of Obama's campaign. He also predicted that "Senator Obama will win, and win handily."

— Evie Stone

Transcript after the jump.

 

(President Clinton was asked when he will hit the campaign trail for Sen. Obama)

CLINTON: I'm going out there as soon as my global initiative is over.

OBAMA: We're putting him to work.

Q: Will you be out frequently?

CLINTON: "I've agreed to do a substantial number of things. Whatever I'm asked to do.

Q: What do you think of the state of the race?

CLINTON: I predict that Sen. Obama will win and win handily.

OBAMA: There you go. You can take it from the President of the United States. He knows a little something about politics.