Sanders endorses Clinton

In a speech announcing his endorsement of Hillary Clinton yesterday, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders effectively ended his campaign for the 2016 Democratic nomination. The New York Times reports:

Bernie Sanders Endorses Hillary Clinton, Hoping to Unify Democrats

After 14 months of policy clashes and moments of disdain, Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination on Tuesday, clearing away the last major obstacle to a united front for the party heading into its convention this month and the fall election.

Yet for all the smiles and hugs between the former rivals here at their first joint rally, Mrs. Clinton’s next challenge was on vivid display as some Sanders supporters jeered her name and held signs saying “Won’t Vote Hillary” while Clinton partisans hissed “shhhh” and others chanted “unity.”

In the coming weeks, from Mrs. Clinton’s choice of a running mate to her convention speech, campaign commercials and overtures to Republicans, the 13 million voters who backed Mr. Sanders in the primary contests will be watching her for any hint of wavering from their progressive causes.

Mrs. Clinton needs to convert many of these liberals and independents in states like New Hampshire and Wisconsin, which Mr. Sanders won and she wants to carry in November. And Mr. Sanders, in his remarks at the rally, signaled what may be her best hope of attracting them: drawing sharp contrasts between her and Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, so his admirers feel they have no choice but to support Mrs. Clinton.

Barring some completely unforeseen event (the decision of the Department of Justice not to indict her regarding e-mail use and careless handling of classified information removes the last possible "foreseen" event), Clinton will be the Democratic nominee in 2016.