Earnest: Sanders Wasn’t Surprised By Obama’s Endorsement Of Clinton

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White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Thursday that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wasn’t surprised by President Obama’s formal endorsement of presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

Earnest said during his daily media briefing that Obama had spoken with Sanders several times in the last week.

“And as a result of those conversations, I think it’s fair to say that Senator Sanders was not at all surprised by today’s announcement,” Earnest said.

Obama endorsed Clinton in a web video released by Clinton’s campaign shortly after he met with Sanders Thursday at the White House. After their meeting, Sanders vowed to stay in the race.

Earnest also said that the White House wasn’t surprised when Sanders chose to stay in the race after his meeting with Obama.

“Sen. Sanders has more than earned the right to make his own decision on his own timeframe about the future of his own campaign,” Earnest said.

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Notable Replies

  1. Ya think? Of course the White House told Bernie. If not before, then when he asked for a meeting with the President. Come on, folks, news does not mean stating the obvious.

  2. “Obama endorsed Clinton in a web video released by Clinton’s campaign shortly after he met with Sanders Thursday at the White House. After their meeting, Sanders vowed to stay in the race.”

    No complaints, but the timing does have a bit of a “you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here…” vibe to it.

  3. ROBBED! OBAMA FIXEs THE DC Primary BY Endorsing HillarY BEFORE the DC Primary which MEAnS THE vote, and the Nomination IS GOING to swing to Hillary. “Presumptive” nominee my ass.

  4. I read the Sanders stuff and it sounded like he’s gonna stay in for DC and then suspend. The strident “Superdelegates haven’t voted yet!” stuff was not there this time.

  5. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to put myself out there speculating on what Bernie is or is not surprised by.

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