Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said Thursday that a report saying President Barack Obama suggested his presidential campaign was nearing its end was “absurd.”
Sanders told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow that he didn’t “want to speculate” about Obama’s exact comments.
“But the bottom line is that when only half of the American people have participated in the political process, when some of the larger states in this country, people in those states have not yet been able to voice their opinion on who should be the Democratic nominee, I think it’s absurd for anybody to suggest that those people not have a right to cast a vote,” Sanders said.
While not endorsing either Democratic candidate, Obama reportedly signaled to Democratic donors at a private event in Austin, Texas that it was time to thrown their support behind Hillary Clinton. Anonymous sources who were present after reporters left the room said Obama suggested Sanders’ campaign was coming to an end, according to the New York Times.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Thursday that Obama reminded fundraiser attendees that “electing a Democratic president” would require the entire party to give their support to the eventual nominee.
Sanders said it would be “a very bad mistake” to prematurely end his campaign.
“I am extremely proud that in state after state we are winning the votes of working people … so to suggest that we don’t fight this out to the end would be, I think, a very bad mistake,” he said.
Bernie knows he’s not going to be the nominee.
He’s either staying in to damage Hillary and elect trump, or he’s staying in because his ego has become so over-inflated that he believes his own most fanatical followers.
Whoever wrote the headline didn’t get the nuance in the president’s remarks. “Dropping out” was not mentioned and it was hardly chatter, but more like necessary political strategizing.
Senator Sanders can campaign for his message until the cows come home. But, he must refrain from dissing the frontrunner. If he does not understand that he will be quietly advised to that effect.
All eyes must now turn to November.
Wow. For the first time Sanders has expressed a whiny and stupid false statement that some of his most unhinged boosters assert.
I suggest that while an independent he has always been reliable to the democratic party goals.
I think this history suggests that another possibility is more likely.
Simply… he remembers 2008.
The math was against HRC far before she dropped out. Her staying helped register many many new voters by keeping the contest going. Her comments were much tougher against Obama than Bernie about HRC.
It was good for Obama to have a challenge and force his campaign to be ready for November, just as it is good for HRC this time.
I believe that Bernie is not out to damage the party or to hurt HRC. I see nothing to suggest ego drives this.
HRC can either handle this or not. I dont even support her nomination and I see that she can handle this.
Seems she will be the name in the democratic column in November, this is the column where my vote will be. I want the person in that column to be ready, I think healthy debate is best for the candidate.
I’d also add that 2008 was “McCain who?” for months. With the Trump BS and media fawning, I don’t want the same thing to happen to our nominee.
Relax, it’s fine. From a position of strength I’d expect that you can appreciate short term inconvenience for long term gain.
Stop trying to talk him down, there is no need unless you intend to poke Bernie supporters in the eye for sport. I suspect HRC would agree as she needs us too.