Sanders: Clinton must become next US president

Vanquished White House hopeful Bernie Sanders on Monday told a riven and lively Democratic convention that his rival Hillary Clinton must win the US presidential election in November.

To cheers and some boos, Sanders said that “based on her ideas and her leadership,” Clinton was a better choice than Republican nominee Donald Trump and that she “must become the next president of the United States.”

“The choice is not even close,” Sanders was to say, according to his prepared remarks released to reporters. But he stopped mid-sentence when he addressed the convention, as his supporters cheered.

“This election is about which candidate understands the real problems facing this country and has offered real solutions - not just bombast, not just fear-mongering, not just name-calling and divisiveness,” Sanders, 74, told the convention in a lengthy speech in which he highlighted some of the accomplishments of his insurgent campaign.

The endorsement was expected, and had already come from Sanders weeks ago when he campaigned alongside Clinton in New Hampshire.

But it appeared aimed in part to help quell the loud voices of Sanders supporters who had spent much of the day booing and shouting out their opposition to speakers as they expressed support for Clinton.

That mission was not thoroughly accomplished, however.

When Sanders closed his speech by saying “Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her tonight,” a smattering of loud boos was heard among the applause.