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Bernie Sanders meets with Obama at White House – campaign live Sanders meets Obama and says Trump presidency would be a disaster – live
(35 minutes later)
5.57pm BST
17:57
Further Sanders reaction
Could it be that we’re witnessing an orderly exit?
.@BernieSanders said exactly the right thing. Get through DC, take a break, get with HRC, get to work beating Trump.
Exactly. Anyone who reads this otherwise is being disingenuous. https://t.co/cvrTFNKNe7
even though Bernie's staying in another 5 days, the Dem primary does seem to be winding down with relative order
Staying w the "landing the plane" metaphor, what Sanders said today was equivalent of putting his wheels down on approach
Overall, fairly conciliatory remarks from Sanders. Suspect some fists unclenched in Brooklyn.
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5.51pm BST
17:51
Sanders plans meeting with Clinton 'in the very near future'
Note that Sanders said of Clinton, “I look forward to meeting with her in the very near future to see how we can work together to defeat Donald Trump”. That’s stronger than a phone call.
5.49pm BST
17:49
Sanders reactions
Key take out from brief Bernie remarks to reporters: he will meet with and work with Clinton to stop Trump becoming president. = it's over.
Bernie Sanders says he looks forward to meeting with Clinton to see how they can work together to defeat Trump. https://t.co/CHPiJ1RB1S
Bernie talking about meeting with Clinton is probably the clearest indication yet that he's preparing to ramp down his campaign.
@ForecasterEnten You just wait a couple of weeks...or even go to the convention and drop out during your speech. No biggie.
Obama: It’s over.Sanders: #Actually, superdelO: Bernie…S: Yeah ok.O: Good. Now let’s chill for an hour then tell the press nothing.
5.46pm BST
17:46
Sanders: Trump campaign built on 'bigotry and discrimination'
While Sanders did not describe circumstances under which he might exit the Democratic race – and he certainly did not say he was exiting the race – he did say “I am going to do everything in my power, and I will work as hard as I can, to make sure that Donald Trump does not become president.”
That would seem to extend to, at some point, swinging his support behind Hillary Clinton, the presumptive nominee. Sanders said he spoke with Clinton and congratulated her “on her very strong campaign”, and told her he looked forward to working together “to defeat Donald Trump”.
Sanders sounded serious about wanting to do everything he could to prevent a Trump presidency. He proclaimed himself sincerely taken aback that Republicans had nominated Trump, “a candidate for president that in the year of 2016 makes bigotry and discrimination the cornerstones of his campaign.”
But Sanders will contest the DC primary on Tuesday, and he began by saying that he would take the issues raised by his millions of supporters “to the convention,” which is six weeks away.
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5.39pm BST
17:39
Sanders looks forward 'to see how we can work together' with Clinton
Sanders says he spoke with Clinton on Tuesday evening, he congratulated her on her campaign and that he looks forward “to see how we can work together to defeat Donald Trump.”
5.38pm BST
17:38
Sanders: 'It is unbelievable to me' that GOP has nominated Trump
Sanders:
These are some of the issues that millions of Americans supported during my campaign. These are the issues that we will take to the convention..
Donald Trump ... would be a disaster as president..
It is unbelievable to me, and I say this in sincerity, [that Republicans] would have a candidate for president that in the year of 2016 makes bigotry and discrimination the cornerstones of his campaign...
A candidate who insults Mexicans and Latinos... women... Muslims...
Needless to say, I am going to do everything in my power, and I will work as hard as I can, to make sure that Donald Trump does not become president.
Sanders says he will compete in the Washington DC primary on Tuesday, with his main policy initiative being for statehood for the district.
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5.35pm BST
17:35
Sanders speaks
Sanders begins with lines from his stump speech:
We should not have the highest rate of childhood poverty... we should not be having Americans in inner cities... who have life expectancies lower than many people in third-world countries.
5.32pm BST
17:32
They’ve put a lectern in place outside the West Wing – a notes stand at least. Sanders is expected to come out any minute.
5.31pm BST
17:31
That would be called the “blame game”, usually an indication that someone thinks something has gone wrong.
Interesting Representative Labrador here says almost exactly what Senators Elizabeth Warren, Harry Reid and others have been saying: if Donald Trump is a monster, Mitch McConnell is Dr Frankenstein. (Interesting that John Boehner takes it on the chin but Paul Ryan escapes mention):
Rep. Raul Labrador says establishment R's are to blame for Trump's nomination because they refused to rally around Ted Cruz in campaign 1/2
Labrador: "If you want to thank someone for Donald Trump. Thank John Boehner and Mitch McConnell." 2/2
5.26pm BST
17:26
Dan notes that a bunch of staff are also waiting outside the Eisenhower Executive Office building, which houses White House staff offices, to hear what Bernie Sanders will say:
Big crowd of White House staff also watching and waiting (from office steps) for Bernie to come out & talk to press pic.twitter.com/TGcf4oAgBe
5.22pm BST5.22pm BST
17:2217:22
People get paid for this?People get paid for this?
Ted Cruz declines to talk about whether he would be a willing break-glass-in-case-of-emergency nominee for the GOP:Ted Cruz declines to talk about whether he would be a willing break-glass-in-case-of-emergency nominee for the GOP:
Cruz on if he'd be willing to step in if Trump was replaced at convention: "I'll leave the political punditry to those who get paid for it."Cruz on if he'd be willing to step in if Trump was replaced at convention: "I'll leave the political punditry to those who get paid for it."
5.17pm BST5.17pm BST
17:1717:17
Sanders meeting has Obama late for lunchSanders meeting has Obama late for lunch
“Obama was due at a lunch at 12.05pm, so whatever he and Sanders are talking about has already kept them over schedule,” reports Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts: “Huge crowd of reporters waiting expectantly at the stakeout location in front of the West Wing.”“Obama was due at a lunch at 12.05pm, so whatever he and Sanders are talking about has already kept them over schedule,” reports Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts: “Huge crowd of reporters waiting expectantly at the stakeout location in front of the West Wing.”
5.13pm BST5.13pm BST
17:1317:13
Sanders live video streamSanders live video stream
Bernie Sanders has yet to emerge from the White House. But when he does, you can watch him right here:Bernie Sanders has yet to emerge from the White House. But when he does, you can watch him right here:
4.48pm BST4.48pm BST
16:4816:48
4.44pm BST4.44pm BST
16:4416:44
Meanwhile, in Gotham City:Meanwhile, in Gotham City:
Chris Christie just walked into the Four Seasons here in NYC, where Trump is expected to meet with donors soonChris Christie just walked into the Four Seasons here in NYC, where Trump is expected to meet with donors soon
Christie was diligently agnostic about possibly being Donald Trump’s running mate, in an apparently interminable interview this morning on AM radio:Christie was diligently agnostic about possibly being Donald Trump’s running mate, in an apparently interminable interview this morning on AM radio:
. @GovChristie on @WFAN660 this am on being @realDonaldTrump's: "Who knows? You never know."Christie has now been on over 4 hrs.. @GovChristie on @WFAN660 this am on being @realDonaldTrump's: "Who knows? You never know."Christie has now been on over 4 hrs.
4.41pm BST4.41pm BST
16:4116:41
Those kids got nothing on the media waiting to hear this morning from Sanders (he’s expected to talk to reporters after his tête-a-tête with Obama, Dan reports, but it’s not confirmed).Those kids got nothing on the media waiting to hear this morning from Sanders (he’s expected to talk to reporters after his tête-a-tête with Obama, Dan reports, but it’s not confirmed).
sitting with tears streaming down my face watching this vine of an ice cream truck that won’t stop for these kids https://t.co/ChoiqIPpB5sitting with tears streaming down my face watching this vine of an ice cream truck that won’t stop for these kids https://t.co/ChoiqIPpB5
(h/t: @nycsouthpaw)(h/t: @nycsouthpaw)
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4.34pm BST4.34pm BST
16:3416:34
Clinton's balance sheet healthier than Trump'sClinton's balance sheet healthier than Trump's
The Hillary Clinton campaign may have 20 times as much cash on hand as the Donald Trump campaign, and outside groups supporting her appear to have raised more than 25 times as much as groups backing Trump (which are just getting under way), the Wall Street Journal reports:The Hillary Clinton campaign may have 20 times as much cash on hand as the Donald Trump campaign, and outside groups supporting her appear to have raised more than 25 times as much as groups backing Trump (which are just getting under way), the Wall Street Journal reports:
Mrs. Clinton at the end of last month had $42 million on hand, her campaign said. Mr. Trump hasn’t reported his May figures but had $2.4 million at the end of April. Mrs. Clinton also has a super PAC that has raised more than $76 million. Similar groups backing Mr. Trump are just getting under way and have raised around $3 million so far.Mrs. Clinton at the end of last month had $42 million on hand, her campaign said. Mr. Trump hasn’t reported his May figures but had $2.4 million at the end of April. Mrs. Clinton also has a super PAC that has raised more than $76 million. Similar groups backing Mr. Trump are just getting under way and have raised around $3 million so far.
Trump told Bloomberg yesterday that he was having second thoughts about needing to raise $1bn for the election, which was his own stated goal a month ago. “There’s no reason to raise that,” Trump said:Trump told Bloomberg yesterday that he was having second thoughts about needing to raise $1bn for the election, which was his own stated goal a month ago. “There’s no reason to raise that,” Trump said:
I just don’t think I need nearly as much money as other people need because I get so much publicity. I get so many invitations to be on television. I get so many interviews, if I want them.I just don’t think I need nearly as much money as other people need because I get so much publicity. I get so many invitations to be on television. I get so many interviews, if I want them.
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4.30pm BST4.30pm BST
16:3016:30
There they are, walking together along the colonnade. White House gardens looking great.There they are, walking together along the colonnade. White House gardens looking great.
Obama and Sanders hold unity talks at the White House pic.twitter.com/SpV2EI3iE6Obama and Sanders hold unity talks at the White House pic.twitter.com/SpV2EI3iE6
4.29pm BST
16:29
Ryan hopeful Trump 'can fix this'
House speaker Paul Ryan, who on Monday said Donald Trump’s comments about federal judge Gonzalo Curiel were “textbook” racist, continues to sound less than convinced that Trump will clean up the mess he’s made.
Ryan has told a radio interviewer that “I believe he can fix this”, CNBC reports:
Ryan radio interview on Trump "antics": "I believe he can fix this to point where he can hopefully run a campaign we can all be proud of."
Ryan is just part of a chorus of angst about Trump that is rising among Republicans on Capitol Hill. Politico reports that “at least eight GOP senators either won’t vote for Trump or have declined to back him publicly”. Other holdouts listed by Politico include Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, Representative Bill Flores of Texas, and senators Kelly Ayotte and Susan Collins.
He’s got a long way to go to clean that up,” said Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). “The American people need to hear more from him.” Trump’s comments “were toxic and they were inappropriate and they were offensive and they were wrong. His walking it back was to some extent a sign of leadership, but we’ve got a long way to go.”
Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, Trump’s first and main senate supporter, told Politico he had a talk with Trump earlier this week and “he’s treating this seriously”:
I shared some thoughts, and I like it that he’s focusing on the issues” now, Sessions said. “He’s treating this seriously. He took seriously the concerns.”
Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona, meanwhile, has said in a radio interview flagged by BuzzFeed that there is “some mixture of fear and loathing” of Donald Trump among his Senate colleagues:
“Donald Trump did not receive a lot of — well, I guess there was one endorsement from the Senate prior to his claiming the nomination or being the presumptive nominee, just one,” Flake said on KTAR’s Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes on Tuesday. “It’s not as if a lot of senators were clamoring to support him during the process. In fact, many had supported one of the other candidates or hadn’t supported any at all. So, there’s not a lot of enthusiasm. There’s some resignation and some mixture of fear and loathing to think about what the next couple months will bring given the statements that he has made.”
The “fear and loathing” about Trump among Republicans is significant enough that “talk is growing to change the rules at the Republican convention to ensure Trump is defeated there,” TPM reports: “Steve Deace, a Republican radio host, tweeted Wednesday night that state delegates were reaching out to him personally to see how they could stop Trump”:
And the 9th state of delegates wanting to revolt against Trump just reached out to me. And it's only Wednesday.
Even freaking Rasmussen has Trump down 4 now https://t.co/AFGrX70HxA
4.21pm BST
16:21
Sanders in talks with Obama
Bernie Sanders has arrived at the White House, where he was scheduled to hold talks with Barack Obama. Sanders came in the south diplomatic entrance after stopping off for coffee at Peet’s, notes the Guardian’s Dan Roberts from the scene.
It’s not a guarantee that Sanders will address the media after the meeting, but the cameras stand at the ready. It’s also unclear how long the meeting will last. Sanders also is supposed to meet with senate minority leader Harry Reid on Capitol Hill. Sanders’ rally outside RFK stadium tonight isn’t until 7pm – so he has plenty of time.
4.01pm BST
16:01
Joy Behar, ladies and germs. Don’t know Joy? Read her thumbnail bio!
I'm sexually attracted to Bernie, and even I want him to pull out! #TBT pic.twitter.com/RqQIGQMb7e
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3.51pm BST
15:51
“I can’t remember seeing this much excitement for a White House visitor in a long while,” Dan writes.
It’s BYOLadder:
There are at least a dozen cameras on ladders trying to get "a glimpse of the Bern" entering the south gate. pic.twitter.com/CDZGPJ5xz1
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3.45pm BST
15:45
Cameras trained. West wing deadpan. What are
they talking about in there
? Update: Sanders arrives just after 11am ET.
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3.34pm BST
15:34
Kasich: Trump 'trending poorly'
Everyone’s a critic. No, literally – everyone’s a critic, including Ohio governor John Kasich, who some politics handicappers would have on the short list of potential Trump running mates, for Kasich’s popularity in a crucial swing state:
Kasich on Fox on whether he’ll support Trump: “Hard to say…You look at Twitter, there’s this thing called ‘trending.‘ It’s trending poorly.”
3.32pm BST
15:32
'Bernie's coming'
It’s a “beautifully sunny and warm down here at the White House,” remarks Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts, who is among an expectant press corps covering the Sanders-Obama meeting. “Long way from that chilly day in January that Bernie came here before the Iowa caucus to receive Obama’s blessing.”
Curious air of expectation in White House press room. "Bernie's gonna be coming in the south gate. Bernie's coming," says grizzled camerman.
3.27pm BST
15:27
Sierra Club endorses Clinton
Hillary Clinton’s 2,203 pledged delegates is apparently good enough for the Sierra Club, the storied environmental conservation group claiming more than 2 million members and supporters.
Today the Sierra Club announces its endorsement of the presumptive Democratic nominee:
“We firmly believe Secretary Clinton will be the strong environmental champion that we need to lead our country, which is why the Sierra Club is proud to endorse her and her vision for America,” a statement from the group reads.
Sierra Club has endorsed @HillaryClinton for president! Read our statement: https://t.co/slDURlrx22
The Sierra Club endorsement includes words of praise for Bernie Sanders:
Senator Sanders and his supporters brought the passionate, principled advocacy that we need, and we are eager to work together to raise these issues in every campaign--not just the presidential race.
And words of something like horrified disdain for Donald Trump:
Contrasted with that, we have a reckless and misinformed candidate in Donald Trump, who has called climate change a “hoax,” a “con job,” and a “concept created by the Chinese.”
Update: Clinton has released a statement saying she is “honored” by the endorsement, and p.s. climate change is real:
STATEMENT: Hillary Clinton Statement on Sierra Club Endorsement pic.twitter.com/ekBhFJmJMF
Updated
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3.18pm BST
15:18
The Sanders has landed:
Bernie lands in DC at Dulles pic.twitter.com/E0agyehNq2
What will happen in his meeting with Obama?
Bernie: "Can you tell her to get out?"POTUS: "Come on!"Bernie: "Can you indict her?"POTUS: "Come on!"Bernie: "The struggle continues!"
2.06pm BST
14:06
Hello and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House.
Bernie Sanders will meet with Barack Obama at the White House today, as the president tries to broker a peace between the Sanders and Hillary Clinton camps following their primary battle (but was it really a “bruising” battle? See below). Sanders will also host a rally and meet with senate minority leader Harry Reid.
Obama has told comedy host Jimmy Fallon that Democrats are happy that Republicans will (we think?!) nominate Donald Trump to be president, but at the same time the president is “worried about the Republican party”.
Here’s the exchange, set to broadcast tonight:
JIMMY FALLON: But do you think the Republicans are happy with their choice?
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: We are. But I don’t know (LAUGHTER) how they’re-- I don’t know how they’re feeling. (CHEERS) So-- actually, you know what-- not-- (CHUCKLE) that was too easy. But the truth is actually I am worried about the Republican party. And-and I know that sounds-- you know-- you know what it sounds like.
Warren to back Clinton, attack Trump
Following a Reuters report last night based on unnamed sources that Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren will “soon” endorse presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, Warren plans to call Trump “a loud, nasty, thin-skinned fraud” in a speech to the American Constitution Society tonight, excerpts of which include:
Donald Trump chose racism as his weapon, but his aim is exactly the same as the rest of the Republicans. Pound the courts into submission to the rich and powerful.
Warren’s friends told Reuters she might be open to running on the Democratic ticket with Clinton, although she has not been approached by the Clinton camp. “Get ready, Donald – we’re coming,” Warren tweeted at the weekend.
This is what Democrats united to beat @realDonaldTrump look like. Get ready, Donald – we're coming. pic.twitter.com/p8dFtvr9NV
Democrats ran zero negative ads during primary
Bloomberg reports:
According to Kantar Media, Clinton and Sanders aired 206,528 spots between them this year – and not one was deemed “negative” by the analysts in Kantar’s Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG).
“In an open presidential primary, this is probably unprecedented,” says Elizabeth Wilner, senior vice president for political advertising at Kantar.
Trump boasts: ‘Hispanics!’
A revealing exchange from an interview Donald Trump gave the New York Times:
He posed with some women and looked back at a reporter to point at the women and boasted “Hispanics!” Afterward, he bragged: “They say ‘We love you, Mr Trump. We’re from Mexico.’”
Clinton to attack Trump on economy
Clinton plans to attack Trump “soon” in a speech describing “how a Trump presidency could actually lead to a serious global economic crisis,” she told the Wall Street Journal:
“While he may have some catchy soundbites, his statements on the economy are dangerously incoherent,” Clinton said. “They are deeply misguided, and they reflect an individual who is temperamentally unfit to manage the American economy.”
Trump tweets
As expected, the media is very much against me. Their dishonesty is amazing but, just like our big wins in the primaries, we will win!
Crooked Hillary Clinton will be a disaster on jobs, the economy, trade, healthcare, the military, guns and just about all else. Obama plus!
Updated
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