US presidential election: Bernie Sanders finally throws weight behind Hillary Clinton in race for White House

Unity: Bernie Sanders addresses crowds with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton
AP
Sebastian Mann13 July 2016
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Defeated Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders today finally offered his long-awaited endorsement of rival Hillary Clinton’s bid for the White House.

The left-winger, who was beaten to his party’s nomination by Ms Clinton, called for unity as he vowed to do everything possible to help her win the contest against presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Mr Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, said: "It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues - that's what this campaign has been about.

"There was a significant coming together between the two campaigns and we produced, by far, the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party.”

Mr Sanders stood alongside Ms Clinton as he told crowds at the event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire: "Our job now is to see that platform implemented by a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and a Hillary Clinton president - and I am going to do everything I can to make that happen."

Democrats have thrown their weight behind Clinton's candidacy since she defeated Sanders in primaries last month in California and five other states, led by endorsements from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and others.

The event at a Portsmouth high school sought to project Democratic unity before Republicans formally nominate Trump next week in Cleveland - but some Sanders' supporters in the crowd did not appear to be ready to move on.

Chants of "Bernie" broke out in the gymnasium while opening speakers addressed the crowd, prompting Clinton's faithful to chant: "Unity".

Additional reporting by AP

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