washington u.s. senator bernie sanders rare oval office meet wednesday president barack obama days obama praise hillary clinton sanders rival front-runner race democratic presidential candidate nov. election emerge white house hour sanders say meet constructive obama try even-handed possible race dismiss commentary obama favor clinton former secretary state know discussion day politico interview tip scale toward secretary clinton believe vermont lawmaker tell reporters white house driveway obama explicitly endorse candidate shower praise clinton experience interview politico note sanders luxury complete long shoot obama suggest sanders face intense scrutiny would need broaden populist message go race nomination sanders-obama meet come first contest pick democratic republican nominees iowa monday new hampshire feb. 9. sanders surge recent opinion poll clinton still edge nationally sanders say receive overview foreign policy issue obama two talk little politics ask whether obama beat clinton democratic nomination 2008 give advice defeat sanders laugh say no obama say good meet sanders note previously meet clinton campaign goal make sure democrats folks run democratic primary focus continue progress make obama say interview nbc affiliate richmond virginia obama aid regular contact clinton staff include former obama white house staffers clinton drop white house informal lunch dec. hourlong chat march white house visitor log show sanders make one previous solo visit obama oval office dec. 15 2014. white house say meet sanders work since sanders ask obama face time saw month ago holiday party lawmakers former maryland governor martin malley distant third democratic poll white house spokesman josh earnest say unaware request malley meet obama obama would try make time ask additional report ayesha rascoe edit susan heavey peter cooney lisa shumaker sap sponsor coverage independently produce staff reuters news agency sanders meet obama say president remain neutral primary race