Bernie Sanders Meets With President Obama At Oval Office
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- On the verge of endorsing Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama will pay tribute to Bernie Sanders' historic candidacy for presidency with an Oval Office meeting. The session is aimed at unifying the Democratic Party for a general election brawl with Donald Trump.
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Sanders headed to the White House under intense pressure to drop out and clear the way for Clinton. Though he showed signs he understood the end was near, he's vowed to keep fighting for his movement.
Obama has sought to give the Vermont senator the courtesy of exiting the race on his own terms, but is expected to formally endorse Clinton after the meeting. The White House says he plans to use the meeting to discuss how to build on the enthusiasm Sanders brought to the primary.
Sanders is also set to meet with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday.
Clinton had enough delegates and superdelegates to clinch the nomination even before the Tuesday primaries, and had enough pledged delegates alone upon winning New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota on Tuesday. CBS News also estimated that Clinton was likely to win in California, but Sanders won in North Dakota.
On Thursday afternoon, President Barack Obama officially endorsed Clinton, saying "I don't think there's ever been someone so qualified to hold this office."
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