After a period of foreshadowing by several publications and members of the Democratic Party, Bernie Sanders has publically announced his endorsement of Hillary Clinton as a presidential nominee.
The former candidate joined her on stage during her rally in New Hampshire, a state which he previously won in the Democratic primaries, to congratulate Clinton on her victory.
Sanders began his speech thanking everyone who supported him throughout the Democratic primaries and asserts that his political fight isn’t over.
“Secretary Clinton has won the Democratic nominating process, and I congratulate her for that. 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.
“I have come here today not to talk about the past but to focus on the future. That future will be shaped more by what happens on Nov. 8 in voting booths across our nation than by any other event in the world. 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.”
Sanders then goes on to address America’s economic disparities, praising Clinton for her understanding of the need to fixed the country’s rigged economy which caters to the 1%.
He also points out that the outcome of this election will determine who will nominate new Supreme Court justices—justices who should be working to prevent the allowance of billionaires to buy elections outcomes, implement environmental protection policies, and defend the rights of women, workers, LGBT, and minorities.
“If anyone 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.”
He also praises Clinton’s policies regarding healthcare and education, among other hot button issues.
The endorsement has been met with mixed reviews from Bernie supporters. According to NPR, a reporter noted “feuding chants of ‘Hillary’ and ‘Bernie’ coming from the crowd,” along with a young Bernie supporter shouting “Never Hillary!”
According to Boston Globe reporter James Pindell, about 30-40 Sanders supporters walked out on Bernie’s endorsement of Hillary in a single line in front of the press. Others have decided to welcome the new alliance with open arms.
A few of the signs at the Bernie/Hillary rally. Feels a bit like a wedding where the family is unsure. pic.twitter.com/WvCmKzeSnM
— Tamara Keith (@tamarakeithNPR) July 12, 2016
Although Clinton and Sanders have argued over issues such as health policy and gun violence in the past, it seems the two are willing to work together in order to compromise and defeat a common enemy.
Watch the full video below:
