PORTSMOUTH: Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton today received a long- awaited endorsement from her party rival Bernie Sanders as the two leaders put aside their differences and joined hands to beat Republican Donald Trump in the November 8 election.

"Secretary Clinton has won the Democratic nominating process. And I congratulate here for that. 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," Sanders, 74, told cheering supporters at a joint election rally in New Hampshire with Clinton, 68.

"I remember her as a great first lady who broke precedent in terms of the role that a first lady was supposed to play. And as she helped lead the fight to universal health care. I served with her in the US Senate and know her as a fierce advocate for the rights of our children," he said.

The Vermont Senator, who has been a thorn in Clinton's side over the last year, pledged to support his former rival through Election Day.

"I know her and all of you know her as one of the most intelligent people that we have ever met. Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her today," Sanders said.

While acknowledging the two have had disagreements, Sanders said both campaigns found common ground over the past weekend at the Democratic Platform Committee meeting in Orlando, Florida. He said he would work hard to elect Clinton, and that he was "proud to stand with her today."

He used the occasion to lash out at Trump.

"While Donald Trump is busy insulting Mexicans and Muslims and women and African Americans and our veterans, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths," he said.

"Donald Trump, like most Republicans, sadly and tragically is choosing to reject science, something no presidential candidate should ever do. He believes that climate change is a hoax. In fact, he wants to expand the use of fossil fuels. That would be a disaster for our country and for the entire planet," he added.

Clinton said the party is now united and is ready to defeat Trump in the November general elections.

"With your help, we are joining forces to defeat Donald Trump, win in November, and yes, together build a future we can all believe in," she said amidst laud applause from her supporters.

Clinton thanked Sanders for his lifetime of fighting injustice.

"I am proud to be fighting alongside you, because, my friends, this is a time for all of us to stand together. These have been difficult days for America," she said.
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"And taking on the systemic racism that plagues our country, and rebuilding the frayed bonds of trust and respect between law enforcement and the communities they serve will require contributions from all of us," Clinton said.

"We have to begin by starting to listen to each other, and more than that, we then have to come together to do something that will help us fix these problems and heal these wounds.

"We have to reform our broken criminal justice system, take back our democracy from the wealthy special interests, and make our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top," she added.

All these things needs to be done at the same time.

"That's why throughout this campaign we've been calling for eliminating racial profiling and disparities in sentencing, ending the era of mass incarceration, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, providing more employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated people," Clinton said.

By endorsing Clinton, Sanders has sold himself out to the former Secretary of State and the move has made his fans angry, Trump alleged.

"Bernie Sanders, who has lost most of his leverage, has totally sold out to Crooked Hillary Clinton. He will endorse her today - fans angry!" Trump said in a tweet Tuesday morning hours before Sanders was to endorse Clinton at an election rally in New Hampshire.

"I am somewhat surprised that Bernie Sanders was not true to himself and his supporters. They are not happy that he is selling out!" Trump said in another tweet.

In the past few days, the real estate tycoon has said that supporters of Sanders would switch over to him.

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