Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is urging Americans to come together to support presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, warning that the “price of failure is just too great to imagine.”
“If Donald Trump is re-elected, all the progress we have made will be in jeopardy,” Sanders said.
He claimed Trump has tried to prevent Americans from voting and threatened to delay the election.
“This is not normal, and we must never treat it like it is. Under this administration, authoritarianism has taken root in this country,” Sanders said.
He argued that “negligence” on Trump’s part has deepened the economic crisis and allowed the virus to continue ravaging communities around the country.
“Together we must build a nation that is more equitable, more compassionate, and more inclusive I know that Joe Biden will begin that fight on day one,” he said.
He went on to say Biden would fight for a $15 million wage, universal Pre-K, and a transition to clean energy to combat climate change.
Sanders admitted that he disagrees with portions of Biden’s healthcare plan, but said it would expand access to healthcare for millions of Americans.
“Joe Biden will end the hate and division that Trump has created. He will stop the demonization of immigrants, the coddling of white nationalists, the racist dog-whistling, the religious bigotry, and the ugly attacks on women,” he said.
Finally, he called on Americans to vote for Biden:
“My friends I say to you, to everyone who supported other candidates in the primary, and to those who may have voted for Donald Trump in the last election, the future of our democracy is at stake. The future of our economy is at stake. The future of our planet is at stake. We must come together, defeat Donald Trump, and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our next president and vice president.”
“My friends, the price of failure is just too great to imagine,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Sanders ran against Biden in the Democratic presidential primary, but suspended his campaign and pledged to support the former vice president in the general election.
Sanders’ speech comes as Democrats sought to highlight a party unified behind the common goal of defeating Trump.