Barack Obama has officially given Hillary Clinton a ringing endorsement to be the country’s next president: “I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office.” He trumpeted her judgement, toughness, courage and the fierce fight she puts up in a debate—a fact he remembers well.
The endorsement was widely expected, but Obama made it official today with a video released through Hillary Clinton’s official YouTube channel. This comes just days after Clinton declared victory and is being treated as the presumptive nominee for the Democratic party.
Sen. Bernie Sanders hasn’t yet conceded defeat—he’s still challenging Clinton in D.C. on Tuesday and pledged to use the primary as a platform to advocate for statehood—but he did meet with Obama this afternoon. In the video, Obama says of their meeting: “I thanked him for shining a spotlight on issues like economic inequality and the outsized influence of money in our politics and bringing young people into the process. Embracing that message is going to help us win in November.”
A Sanders spokesman told the Associated Press that the Vermont senator had a “wide-ranging discussion” with the president about creating an “economy that works for all people,” not just the wealthy. Afterward, Sanders vowed to do everything in his power to stop Trump:
However, he has been “relentlessly mum” on POTUS’ endorsement so far:
Asked Bernie about @POTUS endorsement of Hillary. He was relentlessly mum. pic.twitter.com/2dHnCUFVdQ
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) June 9, 2016
In the meantime, Clinton says she’s “fired up:”
Honored to have you with me, @POTUS. I’m fired up and ready to go! -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2016
Donald Trump had some thoughts as well:
Obama just endorsed Crooked Hillary. He wants four more years of Obama—but nobody else does!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2016
Which Clinton promptly shut down:
Delete your account. https://t.co/Oa92sncRQY
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 9, 2016