Best Friends Forever: Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton in NH
Image via AP
The long-awaited accord between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton finally materialized Tuesday at a rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the two shared a stage.
Sanders unequivocally threw his support behind the presumptive nominee, putting an end to a battle that was longer and more contentious than anyone anticipated when the Vermont senator launched his campaign in April of last year.
“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.”
Read the full text of his endorsement on Vox.com.
Clinton secured the required delegates to be named the Democratic Party’s nominee last month, but Sanders until now has refused to drop out of the race. He did, however, say in June he knew he wouldn’t become the nominee.
His policy positions are widely believed to have helped pull Clinton further to the left. After the influence wielded by supporters in its drafting, Sanders has called the party’s platform, which still needs final approval at next week’s convention, the “most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party.”
Clinton said last week she supported eliminating college tuition for students from families making less than $125,000 a year, a move putting her more in line with Sanders.
The candidates’ joint statement about the rally clearly has a bit of the Bern baked in:
On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will join Hillary Clinton for a campaign event at Portsmouth High School 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.
It wasn’t all peace and unity, though. Reporters in Portsmouth tweeted about some Sanders supporters shouting boos and breaking into pro-Bernie chants.
He may be endorsing @HillaryClinton but @BernieSanders supporters still relentless, chanting every few mins #wcvb pic.twitter.com/5UbNlZq0nR
— Janet Wu (@WuWCVB) July 12, 2016
Protester boos and then leaves when it’s announced the crowd needs to get behind Hillary Clinton pic.twitter.com/iZLdL8mlWA
— Sharman Sacchetti (@SharmanTV) July 12, 2016
The Democratic National Convention, when party leaders are expected to formally make Clinton the nominee, will kick off in Philadelphia July 25-28.
