US Election 2016 - Sanders Throws His Weight Behind Rival Clinton

Presumptive Democratic nominee for US president Hillary Clinton has been given a major boost after Bernie Sanders threw his support behind her.

Speaking in front of supporters from both camps in New Hampshire Mr Sanders, who for months ran against Mrs Clinton in a hotly-contested and bitter campaign for the party's nomination, congratulated her for winning.

With a glassy-eyed Mrs Clinton at his side, he said: "She will be the Democratic nominee for president and I intend to do everything I can to make certain she will be the next president of the United States."

The 74-year-old Vermont senator, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, pledged his "political revolution" which has energised millions of Americans would continue.

But he admitted that his opponent is "far and away the best candidate" for the top job and to succeed Barack Obama in the 8 November election expected to be against property tycoon Donald Trump.

Listing his reasons for supporting her, he told the rally: "Hillary Clinton understands that we must fix an economy in America that is rigged and that sends almost all new wealth and income to the top one percent."

He went on: "Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty."

With a huge smile, the former US secretary of state embraced Mr Sanders and they raised their arms in a traditional show of unity in front of thousands of people.

Mrs Clinton, 68, hopes the joint appearance will help her win over Mr Sanders' supporters, some of whom carried his signs into the rally and frequently drowned out her backers.

Recent polls have suggested only about 40% of Sanders supporters said they would get behind Clinton, and the crowd at Tuesday's rally made it clear she still had work to do.

Many of Mr Sanders' policies have made it into the proposed Democrat manifesto, including a $15-an-hour minimum wage, tougher restrictions on Wall Street and an end to the death penalty.

Mr Sanders threw his support behind Mrs Clinton less than two weeks before the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she will be formally nominated.

Mr Sanders has already come under fire from presumptive Republican nominee Mr Trump, who tweeted: "Bernie Sanders, who has lost most of his leverage, has sold out to Crooked Hillary Clinton".

Mr Trump, 70, who is expected to be formally crowned Republican candidate next week, has been attempting to win over Sanders supporters.

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