Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware endorsed Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid on CNN’s “New Day” on Tuesday, saying the former Secretary of State has the best shot at winning the general election.
“Across a wide range of issues from college access to manufacturing, from foreign policy to leadership, I’m thrilled to be endorsing her today in her run for president,” he told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota.
Coons said he chose Clinton over fellow Senator Bernie Sanders because of her economic positions.
“I just think we need an economic message of optimism that focuses on growth as well as one that looks with a clear eye about some of the issues about income equality that Bernie has raised,” he said.
The Delaware senator was a vocal supporter of Vice President Joe Biden hoping he’d enter the race before he announced he’d pass on a third presidential bid last month.
“I’m a big Joe Biden fan and supporter. And I was hopeful that he would be running for president. I think his voice for our middle class has been unequaled, but I think he’s made the right choice for his family,” Coons said.
Coons, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was also optimistic about the future relationship between the U.S. and Israel following Monday’s meeting between President Barack Obama and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“There are many who suggested that our strong disagreements over the Iran Nuclear Deal may have permanently frayed the U.S.-Israel relationship. Nothing could be farther from the truth,” he said. ” I think the meeting between Obama and Netanyahu reinforced our strong, deep and lasting relationship.”