DemDaily: The Endorsement

The Democratic primary rivalry between Senator Bernie Sanders and Secretary Hillary Clinton officially ended today in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Before a crowd of thousands, Sanders endorsed Clinton as the Party's nominee, saying "I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States."

In the 30-minute speech, Sanders took the final opportunity to underscore the power of his primary campaign and army of supporters, as well as the issues that helped drive his candidacy.

Clinton officially became the "presumptive" Democratic nominee when she clinched the requisite 2,383 delegate votes 36 days ago, but Sanders delayed endorsing her until after he negotiated inclusion of key issues in the party's formal platform.

"Let me begin by thanking the 13 million Americans who voted for me during the Democratic primaries," Sanders said. "Our campaign won the primaries and caucuses in 22 states, and when the roll call at the Democratic National Convention is announced, it will show that we won almost 1,900 delegates."
-- Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders

The DNC Platform Committee's 179 Members finalized the proposed platform following a grueling two-day meeting last weekend in Orlando, Florida. The end product is unquestionably the most progressive policy agenda in the Democratic Party's modern history.

Sanders on the Issues in his endorsement speech:

• "Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty. She believes that we should raise the minimum wage to a living wage."
• "(that) all Americans should have the right to choose a public option in their health care exchange"
• "we must substantially lower student debt, and we must make public colleges and universities tuition free for the middle class and working families of this country."
• "This election is about the leadership we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform and repair a broken criminal justice system. It's about making sure that young people in this country are in good schools or at good jobs, not in jail cells."
• "This election is about a Supreme Court who will defend a woman's right to choose, the rights of the LGBT community, workers' rights, the needs of minorities and immigrants, and the government's ability to protect the environment."

The endorsement is the outcome of intense negotiations between Clinton Campaign Manager Robby Mook, and Sanders top Advisor Jeff Weaver.

Clinton praised Sanders for bringing people "off the sidelines and into the political process...He has energized and inspired a generation of young people who care deeply about our country."

She closed by assuring all Sanders supporters that "When I am in the White House, you will have a seat at the table"

To watch the full speech: Sanders Endorses Clinton

13 days to the Democratic Convention! Check the DemList Convention Calendar for all events at the Convention and watch for our Daily updates. Pass it on!

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