US Democratic Party’s second runner for nomination Bernie Sanders, who is credited with bringing thousands of new and young voters to rally behind his causes and presenting the toughest possible fight to front-runner Hillary Clinton, has finally endorsed her, after weeks of hesitation from the Vermont’s Senator. He said, “Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here today.” This was their first joint appearances since the primary debates that took place in a rally in New Hampshire.
However, endorsement of Senator Sanders came at a price. Many of his issues were included in this year’s democratic agenda. He won significant victories on priorities for the left of the party in Orlando by the committee drafting the Democratic Party platform ahead of its convention in Philadelphia later this month. Those concessions included a push for a $15 per hour federal minimum wage, requirements to put a price on greenhouse gases, expanded funding for healthcare and a call for an end to the death penalty but he lost a battle for the party to adopt strong language opposing the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, which remains top of the list of legislative priorities for President Barack Obama.
Sanders’ endorsement, as well as, theinclusion of his issuesin the platform are likely to provide Hillary Clinton the edge she needs to beat Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump. A recent survey shows that 85 percent of the Sanders’ supporters are ready to vote for her, compared to 50 percent just after the primaries. Latest polls published by Reuters show that Clinton is leading by 13 points over Trump.