U.S. President Barack Obama has officiallyendorsed Hillary Clinton, his former secretary of state, for president. Obama gave his endorsement in a video published online. “I want to congratulate Hillary Clinton on making history as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of the United States.” In the video, he said he knows “how hard this job can be,” and that he knows Hillary “will be so good at it.” “In fact, I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office,” he said. Specifically, Obama said Clinton has the “courage, compassion and heart to get the job done. “I am fired up and I cannot wait to get out there and campaign for Hillary,” Obama said. * officially = 공식적으로[정식으로]/ endorse = (공개적으로) 지지하다; 보증[홍보]하다/ Secretary of State = (미국) 국무 장관/ make history = 역사에 남다[남을 일을 하다]/ presumptive = 추정상의/ nominee = 지명[추천]된 사람, 후보/ qualified = 자격이 있는/ compassion = 연민, 동정심/ be fired up = 열정적이 되다, 고무되다
Clinton responded to the endorsement in an interview with Bloomberg Politics. “It just means so much to have a strong, substantiveendorsement from the president. Obviously I value his opinion a great deal personally,” she said. “It’s just such a treat because over the years of knowing each other, we’ve gone from fierce competitors to true friends.” With a high approval rating of over 50 percent, Obama is seen as a valuable campaign tool for Clinton. The Clinton campaign said Obama will join Clinton to campaign in Green Bay, Wisconsin next week. The endorsement came after Obama met with Clinton’s Democratic rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Thursday at the White House. In the endorsement, Obama also congratulates Sanders on an “incredible” campaign and for getting more people involved in the political process. * respond to ~ = ~에 대응하다[답하다]/ substantive = 실질적인/ endorsement = (공개적인) 지지/ value = 소중하게[가치 있게] 생각하다/ a great deal = 많이, 다량/ treat = 특별한 것[선물], 대접, 한턱/ fierce = 격렬한, 맹렬한, 사나운/ approval rating = 지지율
Obama also thanked Sanders for highlighting important issues such as economic inequality, excessive money in politics and bringing young people into the process. Clinton received enough delegates to capture the Democratic nomination this week after major primary wins on Tuesday. But Sanders told reporters Thursday he is looking forward to the last Democratic primary of the campaign in the District of Columbia on Tuesday. He also spoke about the main issues he plans to bring to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at the end of July. The Democratic Party will officially choose its nominee at the convention. Sanders said he spoke with Clinton after her victories this week to congratulate her on a “very strong campaign. “I look forward to meeting with her in the near future to see how we can work together to defeat Donald Trump. And to create a government which represents all of us, and not just the 1 percent.” Sanders also took the opportunity to criticize Trump, whom he said would be a “disaster” as president of the United States. * highlight = 강조하다/ economic inequality = 경제 불균형/ delegate = (집단의 의사를 대표하는) 대표(자)/ look forward to ~ = ~을 고대하다/ defeat = 패배시키다[물리치다/이기다]/ criticize = 비판[비난]하다
