WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama endorsed one-time campaign rival Hillary Clinton to succeed him Thursday, a signal to Democrats that it’s time to unify after a bitter primary and take on Donald Trump.
“Tens of millions of Americans made their voices heard. Today I just want to add mine,” Obama said in a video endorsement. “I’m with her.”
Obama’s nod comes after a hard fought Democratic primary season, in which Clinton struggled against surprisingly tough leftist rival Bernie Sanders.
She finally clinched the nomination just days ago.
Obama’s endorsement was long expected but will be a shot in the arm to the Clinton campaign. The president’s backing gives Clinton a potent surrogate on the campaign trail.
After nearly eight years in the White House, Obama is still one of the country’s most popular politicians.
His approval ratings among black, Hispanic, young and liberal voters are stratospheric.
Clinton’s campaign announced that a first joint campaign event with Obama would take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, June 15.
