Bernie Sanders: 'Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States'

(Image credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 26 July 2016

When Bernie Sanders took the stage on Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention, it took several minutes for him to start talking — his supporters were cheering so loudly, he was unable to start his speech.

When he was finally able to speak, Sanders thanked every American who voted for him and donated to his campaign, and let them know that as disappointed as he is with the final outcome, "I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved together. We have begun a political revolution to transform America, and that revolution, our revolution, continues." Sanders said the election has never been about him, Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton, but rather "the needs of the American people and the kind of future we create for our children and our grandchildren" and "ending the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality in America today."

In a message directed at his supporters, Sanders said Clinton "must become the next president of the United States" and "will make an outstanding president." He spoke of their time together in the Senate, Clinton's determination to increase the minimum wage and "rebuild our crumbling infrastructure," and how she would "nominate justices to the Supreme Court who are prepared to overturn Citizens United." It was an emotional speech for many of Sanders' supporters in the audience, who had tears running down their faces. You can watch the full speech below. Catherine Garcia

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Subscribe to The Week

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox