Just hours after meeting with Bernie Sanders in the White House, President Obama has endorsed his former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, to replace him as the next commander-in chief.
“I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office. She’s got the courage, the compassion and the heart to get the job done,” Obama says in a newly released video, right before using Clinton’s slogan, “I’m with her.”
Clinton tweeted her thanks, saying, “Honored to have you with me, @POTUS. I’m fired up and ready to go! -H”
The endorsement came earlier than expected with POTUS playing uniter-in-chief following a long and acrimonious Democratic primary battle.
Obama plans to make his first public campaign stop with Clinton in Wisconsin next week.
“I have seen her judgment, I have seen her toughness, I have seen her commitment to our values up close,” he said. “I’m with her. I’m fired up and I cannot wait to get out there and campaign with Hillary.”
The president also made an effort to woo Sanders voters, saying he ran “an incredible campaign” and thanking him for focusing on income inequality on the campaign trail.
“Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders may have been rivals during this primary but they’re both patriots who love this country and they share a vision for the America we all believe in: An America that’s hopeful, and America that’s big-hearted, an America that’s big-hearted, an America that’s strong and fair and gives every child the same chance that we’ve had,” he said.
Honored to have you with me, @POTUS. I'm fired up and ready to go! -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2016