Bernie Sanders on Tuesday finally offered his long-awaited endorsement to presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saying he would work hard to help her win the White House in November.
“Secretary Clinton has won the Democratic nominating process, and I congratulate her for that,” Sanders told a cheering crowd at a rally in New Hampshire, with Clinton at his side.
“She will be the Democratic nominee for president and I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States.”
“She must become our next president,” Sanders emphasized, offering a litany of reasons why the former secretary of state is a better choice than her Republican adversary Donald Trump.
He cited her support for gay rights, universal health care and a higher minimum wage.
“If anyone out there thinks that this election is not important, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump will nominate, and what that means to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country,” Sanders said.
“This campaign is about the needs of the American people and addressing the very serious crises that we face. And there is no doubt in my mind that, as we head into November, Hillary Clinton is far and away the best candidate to do that.”
Some Sanders supporters booed at the joint rally and Mr Sanders appeared to motion them to stop. At the end of Mrs Clinton’s remarks, the two shared a hug and smiled.
“Thank you for your lifetime of fighting injustice,” said Mrs Clinton, and credited Mr Sanders for bringing new Americans into the political process.
“I’m proud to be fighting behind you… it’s a time for all of us to stand together.”
She spoke about student debt, Wall Street, raising the minimum wage, the US tax code, reforming policing, strengthening the middle class, climate change, health care and reducing gun violence.
His supporters have largely decided to support Mrs Clinton in an effort to stop presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump from winning the White House.
“It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues. That’s what this campaign has been about. That’s what democracy is about,” said Sanders.
“But I am happy to tell you that… there was a significant coming together between the two campaigns and we produced, by far, the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party.”
Trump, who has been trying to court Sanders supporters, wrote in a tweet that Sanders has “totally sold out to Crooked Hillary Clinton. Fans angry!”
“The candidate who ran against special interests is endorsing the candidate who embodies special interests,” his campaign said in a release.
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