The long Democratic primary campaign was more than worth it, in her view: “I am so proud that someone who had to struggle for everything he had … was able to figure out a way to reach millions of people and deliver a message about jobs and the economy, about the inequality of incomes and opportunity, about the next generation and how we’re going to make education affordable for them. I mean, he took it out there and the public heard him.”

Of Clinton, with whom she’s disagreed on Iraq, trade and more, she said, “You have to admire her for her fortitude and for her ability not to be bitter and to continue; I think that’s a very strong message in itself.”

With other Sanders supporters adamant that the seven members of Congress who endorsed him stick with him now – and Clinton supporters eager that they do the opposite, how much is she feeling the cross-pressures?

“I’m not feeling that right now,” she said. “There’s a human factor here. They’ve both been in exhausting campaigns and I think you have to give a little bit of time for the dust to settle.”

On Thursday morning, Sanders scheduled to meet with the president, who is expected to encourage him to start doing what he can to unify the party. The Vermont senator also is holding a rally for supporters at Washington’s RFK Stadium on Thursday afternoon.