Obama congratulates both Democratic candidates on their campaigns, will meet with Sanders Thursday

(Image credit: Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

published 8 June 2016

President Obama called Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders on Tuesday night to congratulate them for "running inspiring campaigns that have energized Democrats, brought a new generation of Americans into the political process, and shined a spotlight on important policy ideas aimed at making sure our economy and our politics work for everybody, not just those with wealth and power," the White House said in a statement.

In his call to Clinton, the president congratulated her on "securing the delegates necessary to clinch the Democratic nomination for president," and said her campaign "inspired millions" and "is an extension of her lifelong fight for middle-class families and children." Obama also thanked Sanders for "energizing millions of Americans with his commitment to issues like fighting economic inequality and special interests' influence on our politics," and has accepted a request from Sanders to meet with him at the White House on Thursday. The plan is to "continue their conversation about the significant issues at stake in this election that matters most to America's working families," the statement said, and Obama looks forward to building on the "extraordinary work he has done to engage millions of Democratic voters, and to build on that enthusiasm in the weeks and months ahead."