Clinton and Sanders in talks to unify Democrats and 'prevent Trump from getting anywhere near the White House'

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been in talks over ways to unify the party and halt Donald Trump's bid for the White House ahead of the election on 8 November. The pair are currently battling for the Democratic nomination and Clinton holds a significant advantage over Sanders, who is trailing by nearly 800 delegates.

"Once the primaries are over, as of next Tuesday, we will begin talking in more detail about what we can do to unify the party," Clinton told CNN on 31 March. "Because as I've said many times, and Senator Sanders has said, we both are going to do everything we can to prevent Donald Trump from getting anywhere near the White House."

Clinton added: "I will certainly do everything I can to unify the Democratic Party. Our campaigns have been reaching out to one another. We will continue to do that." Trump is on the brink of formally accepting the Republican party's nomination in July.

But, despite Clinton's sizeable lead over her Democratic rival, Sanders has vowed to fight on. As it stands, seven primaries and caucuses are left, with 908 delegates there for the taking. Clinton, however, requires just 71 more to clinch the nomination.

Six states – including California, where 475 pledged delegates are at stake – are scheduled to hold primaries on 7 June. The Vermont senator has said he is fully focused on becoming the Democratic nominee amid suggestions he could be Clinton's running mate.

"Right now I am trying to become the Democratic nominee, and that's where my focus is on right now," Sanders told NBC's Chris Jansing over the weekend. "What happens the day after, it appears that I am not going to become the nominee, That's subject for further discussion," he added.

While Clinton was endorsed by Jerry Brown yesterday (31 May), the California Governor was quick to praise Sanders' bid for the White House. "I have decided to cast my vote for Hillary Clinton because I believe this is the only path forward to win the presidency and stop the dangerous candidacy of Donald Trump," Brown wrote on his website.

"I have closely watched the primaries and am deeply impressed with how well Bernie Sanders has done. He has driven home the message that the top one percent has unfairly captured way too much of America's wealth, leaving the majority of people far behind," he added.

Brown also complimented Clinton's campaign. "Hillary Clinton has convincingly made the case that she knows how to get things done and has the tenacity and skill to advance the Democratic agenda," said Brown. "Voters have responded by giving her approximately 3 million more votes – and hundreds more delegates – than Sanders."