Bernie Sanders likes and respects his rival Hillary Clinton — he just thinks she isn’t up to being President of the United States.
“She’s an extremely intelligent woman with a wonderful résumé, a whole lot of experience,” said the Vermont senator in a rousing speech at the National Action Network conference in Midtown on Thursday.
“I’ve known her — we’ve been friends for 25 years. You know, in a campaign, things get heated up, but I have a lot of respect for her.”
It’s unlikely they will be meeting for coffee anytime soon, however.
TRANSCRIPT: BERNIE SANDERS MEETS WITH THE DAILY NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD
The self-described socialist said in a not-too-subtle jab at rival Democrat Clinton that the problems facing the country — entrenched poverty, the declining middle class, and a campaign finance system run amok — requires a true change agent like him.
“If you believe that those issues can be addressed by establishment politics and an establishment economy, you’ve got a very good candidate to vote for, but it’s not Bernie Sanders,” he said. “That’s the truth.”
BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS
Bernie Sanders touted his civil rights bona fides in his address, including his endorsement 30 years ago of the Rev. Jesse Jackson for President.
Sanders, speaking in front of a largely black audience, also touted his civil rights bona fides — including his endorsement of the Rev. Jesse Jackson for President in 1984.
“It wasn’t a popular thing to do,” said Sanders, who was then the mayor of overwhelmingly white Burlington, Vt. “People turned their backs on me.”
Jackson, who sat in the front row of the speech, told The News afterward that he doesn’t plan to endorse anyone in New York’s primary on Tuesday.
“I have focused on reconciling Hillary and Bernie’s views because it’s going to take both to win,” said Jackson. “I’m pushing both of them.”
He said Clinton, who polls show has stronger support among black voters, benefits from a familiar name.