By LOUIS NELSON, de Politico Magazine
- ‘I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States,’ he says.
Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton for president Tuesday at a rally in New Hampshire, ending a protracted Democratic primary battle in the state where the Vermont senator won his first victory.
«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,» Sanders said. «I have come here to make it as clear as possible as to why I am endorsing Hillary Clinton and why she must become our next president.»
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The pair entered the rally to Bruce Springsteen’s «We Take Care of Our Own,» the song President Barack Obama used as the theme for his 2012 reelection campaign and were flanked on stage by banners that read «stronger together.» Sanders was unequivocal in his endorsement of Clinton, but spent the bulk of his remarks hitting familiar notes from his campaign stump speech. Point-by-point, Sanders listed off issues upon which he built his campaign was built, highlighting the areas where the two were in agreement. He acknowledged that the two «disagree on a number of issues,» but on the minimum wage, health care, the environment, wealth inequality and others, Sanders said he and Clinton are of the same mind.
«Together, we have begun a political revolution to transform America and that revolution continues,» Sanders said. «Together, we continue the fight to create a government which represents all of us, and not just the one percent – a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.»
«This campaign is about the needs of the American people and addressing the very serious crises that we face,» he continued. «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.»
After standing to the side as Sanders endorsed her, Clinton took to the podium to thank the Vermont senator, who she praised for his «lifetime of fighting injustice.» She also offered praise for the grassroots campaign built by the Vermont senator and was enthusiastic about the notion of uniting the youth and energy of his supporters with her own White House bid.
“I have to say it is such a great privilege to be here with Senator Sanders,» she said. «Being here with him in New Hampshire, I can’t help but reflect how much more enjoyable this election is going to be now that we are on the same side. Because, you know what, we are stronger together.”
The endorsement theoretically unites the Democratic Party behind Clinton, but questions remain as to how many of Sanders’ supporters will fall in line behind the former secretary of state after such a hotly-contested primary. While much of the crowd at Tuesday’s rally was excited about endorsement, a pocket of Sanders die-hards brought «Never Hillary» shirts and signs and booed when the progressive darling took the stage with the presumptive nominee.
Many of Sanders’ supporters were drawn to him because of his status as a progressive and independent voice willing to shake up Washington. Clinton, the consummate political insider, could be a tough sell for Sanders voters who spent the primary expressing skepticism towards her connections to Wall Street and other outside influencers.
Sanders’ endorsement also marks an official end to a Democratic primary that in reality ended June 7 when Clinton won California’s Democratic primary and solidified her position as the party’s presumptive nominee. The Vermont senator refused to drop out of the race, though, instead leveraging his considerable delegate count by pushing for more progressive positions in the Democratic Party’s platform.
The Vermont senator successfully pushed the party to adopt more progressive planks on climate change, health care and a $15 minimum wage, but was unable to push the party’s platform committee to adopt language opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Satisfied with his victories, Sanders agreed to appear with Clinton Tuesday to “discuss their commitment to building an America that is stronger together and an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top,” according to releases from both campaigns.
«Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton president, and I am going to do everything I can to make that happen,» Sanders said Tuesday. «Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here today.»
Información e imagen tomadas de Politico Magazine (politico.com)
