PORTSMOUTH, NH — It was a unity-driven message, from the very start, as supporters of both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders filled the gymnasium at Portsmouth High School.
“Go Bernie, and go Hillary, right?” said U.S. Senator Jean Shaheen, as she took the stage.
As Shaheen made the case for Hillary for president, Bernie supporters occasionally shouted her down with chants of, “Bernie, Bernie,” which went unanswered by Shaheen. But her final rally cry was for unity, the only way to defeat Donald Trump in November, Shaheen said.
And within minutes of Shaheen’s quick rallying cry, Clinton and Sanders took the stage together to reinforce that message. Sanders spoke first, at length, going over his platform before endorsing Clinton outright as the victor for the Democratic nomination.
Sanders went on to run through his most familiar talking points, underscoring that they are the same values Clinton holds dear, and that she will fight for in Washington, D.C., as president.
“I have known Hillary Clinton for 25 years. I remember her as a great First Lady who broke precedent in terms of the role that a First Lady was supposed to play. I served with her in the U.S. Senate and know her as a fierce advocate for the rights of our children, and I know her — and all of you know her — as one of the most intelligent people that we have ever known,” Sanders said. “Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her today. Thank you all,” Sanders said.
He stood aside and gave the microphone to Clinton, who wasted no time continuing the message of party unity to an estimated crowd of more than 3,000, including those who could not find standing room inside the gymnasium.
“You know what? We are stronger together,” said Hillary, thanking Sanders for his endorsement before calling for party unity to defeat Trump in November.
She said she was grateful to be standing with Sanders on stage, and that both their campaigns represent “the best of who we are.”
“I’m fully aware the other side will do everything it can to distort and misinform,” Clinton said. “I’m confident and optimistic about our future, especially when it comes to young people,” Clinton said, urging young supporters — and obviously extending an olive branch to Sanders’ base of young supporters — to join him in supporting her campaign.
Talking points by Clinton included the need for national guidelines when it comes to lethal force by police forces across the U.S., and to address racism honestly.
“I’m asking all of us to really search our hearts and minds and make sure we don’t have those implicit biases,” Clinton said. “Everyone learns when we respect the law and when we are respected by the law.”
Clinton also spoke about the need to end “the epidemic of gun violence,” in the U.S.
“We owe it to every officer who puts his or her life on the line,” said Clinton, to get weapons of war off the streets.
Clinton then shifted her focus to the economy, and outlined five goals for her presidency.
“We need to go big and we need to go bold,” said Clinton. “So we’re setting five ambitious goals.”
1. Investment in new good paying jobs, “more jobs in places that have been left out and left behind, communities of color, in the coal country, Indian country, everywhere every person deserves the same shot at the American Dream as everybody else,” Clinton said.
2. Making college debt-free for all and help those struggling with student debt.
3. Crackdown on companies that ship jobs overseas to avoid paying taxes, and reward companies that share profits with employees.
4. Fight corruption on Wall Street and end tax loopholes for the rich.
5. Expand Social Security to “match today’s realities, not privatize,” and join the rest of the world by adding paid family leave. “And let’s guarantee equal pay for women once and for all,” Clinton said.
“You will always have a seat at the table when I am in the White House,” Clinton said as she ended her remarks. “As Bernie will tell you, talk is cheap. Let’s send a clear message, in America we don’t tear each other down, we build each other up,” Clinton said.
