In a video released by the Clinton campaign Thursday afternoon, President Obama officially endorsed the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee for president — Hillary Clinton. You can watch the video above.
"Look, I know how hard this job can be," Obama said. "That's why I know Hillary will be so good at it. In fact, 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 continued: "So I want those of you who've been with me from the beginning of this incredible journey to be the first to know — that I'm with her. I am fired up and I cannot wait to get out there and campaign for Hillary."
The president went on to praise Bernie Sanders for running "an incredible campaign." Describing what took place in a meeting between the two earlier Thursday — despite the video apparently being recorded before the meeting actually took place) — Obama said, "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 gonna help us win in November, but more importantly, it will make the Democratic Party stronger and it will make America stronger."
The endorsement comes two days after the final significant day of primary voting, and a few hours after Obama and Sanders met privately at the White House.
While we don't have all the details on what the two discussed, Sanders emerged with positive words for Obama and Vice President Biden. "What they said in the beginning is that they would not put their thumb on the scales, and they kept their word," Sanders said in a press conference. "I appreciate that very, very much."
