Sanders appears with Clinton in potentially key N.H.; first lady stumps in Philly, Pitt

DURHAM, N.H., Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders joined party nominee Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire on Wednesday to stump for voters in what's expected to be a potentially critical battleground state in November's election.

Sanders, who represents neighboring Vermont in the Senate, teamed up with the former first lady to promote the party platform proposal to offer higher education to working families at no cost -- saying the idea is "revolutionary" and would save students "outrageous levels" of debt.

"When you have Republicans telling us that it is OK to give tens and tens of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the richest people in this country, do not tell me that we cannot afford to make public colleges and universities tuition free," Sanders said prior to introducing Clinton.

"I am asking you here today not only to vote for Secretary Clinton but to work hard to get your uncles and your aunts, to get your friends to vote," he added. "It is imperative that we elect Hillary Clinton as our next president."

It was the first time Sanders appeared with Clinton on the campaign trail since he endorsed her earlier this summer.

"The American dream is big enough for everyone, and education is absolutely essential to it," Clinton said. "When you add it up, our plan will help millions of people save thousands of dollars."

Though New Hampshire has only four electoral votes, it is nonetheless expected to be a swing state during the Nov. 8 vote.

According to the latest UPI/CVoter state tracking poll, dated Sept. 25, 48.1 percent of New Hampshire voters favor Clinton compared with 47.2 percent for Trump. Other candidates are taking nearly 5 percent of the state's vote, the survey shows.

In 2000, Democratic nominee Al Gore lost New Hampshire to George W. Bush -- and ultimately ended up four electoral votes short (266) of capturing the presidency. It remains a painful memory for the party. The state has voted Democratic, though, in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 elections.

First lady Michelle Obama speaks to supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the University of Pittsburgh's Fitzgerald Field House on Wednesday. She also spoke at La Salle University in Philadelphia Wednesday. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI

Earlier Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama stumped for Clinton at La Salle University in Philadelphia and also at the University of Pittsburgh.

"This job is hard. It is the highest-stakes, most 24/7 job you can possibly imagine," Obama said at the La Salle campus. "So who in this election is truly ready for that job? ... there is only one person in this race who we can trust with those responsibilities, only one person with the qualifications and temperament for this job, and that person is our friend, Hillary Clinton."

"She's the real deal," she added. "I have come to know her very well over the years, and I know that she is more than ready, more than able to be an outstanding President for all of us."

Republican nominee Donald Trump held two rallies on Wednesday, one in Iowa and one in Wisconsin.