Bernie Sanders is set to meet with President Obama on Thursday at the White House, at the request of the Vermont senator.
According to a statement released late Tuesday by White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, Obama called Sanders and his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton to congratulate both of them on “running inspiring campaigns that have energized Democrats.”
Obama also congratulated Clinton on securing enough delegates to clinch the Democratic nomination, while he praised Sanders for his “commitment to issues like fighting economic inequality and special interests’ influence on our politics.”
“Her historic campaign inspired millions and is an extension of her lifelong fight for middle-class families and children,” the White House said about Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, who led the California tally by a large margin after Super Tuesday.
As for Sanders, the statement continued, “The President looks forward to continuing the conversation with Senator Sanders about how to build 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.”
Meanwhile, Sanders was in Santa Monica, California, preparing to make a speech to supporters.
Earlier in the evening, Clinton made her own historic speech from her Brooklyn, New York, headquarters.
“We’re all standing under a glass ceiling right now, but don’t worry — we’re not smashing this one. Thanks to you, we’ve reached a milestone,” she told her supporters.
“Tonight’s victory is not about one person, it belongs to generations of women and men who struggled and sacrificed and made this moment possible.”
Clinton had already added primary victories in New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota to her achievements, before taking the lead in California.
See the full White House statement below.
