The more than three million Indian Americans are relieved as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton 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.
A nationwide grass-root body of Indian-Americans has been launched by Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s campaign to support the former secretary of state, hinting that an Indian-American could also be appointed under her presidency.
The organisation named ‘Indian-Americans for Hillary Clinton’ (IAHC) was launched recently in a Maryland suburb of Washington by Clinton’s campaign manager John Podesta. Podesta, who personally came down from the campaign headquarters of New York, told a gathering of Indian-Americans that relationship between India and the US would reach a new level after Clinton is elected as the president in the November elections.
“One of the things that she is committed to having a broad diverse cabinet than any administration. And I think, as Senator and as Secretary she showed that commitment by appointing Indian-Americans to positions of responsibilities and I think you should expect that as president of the United States,” Podesta said.
