Bernie Sanders has ended his campaign for president. The Vermont Senator reportedly told his staff during a call Wednesday morning. He later addressed the public saying, “While this campaign is coming to an end, our movement is not.” Here are some excerpts from his speech:
“I wish I could give you better news, but I think you know the truth, and that is that we are now some 300 delegates behind Vice President Biden, and the path toward victory is virtually impossible.”
“I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour.”
“I will stay on the ballot in all remaining states and continue to gather delegates… We must continue working to assemble as many delegates as possible at the Democratic Convention, where we will be able to exert significant functions.”
During his live stream, Sanders didn’t enthusiastically support Joe Biden, but he did say, “I congratulate Joe Biden, a very decent man, who I will work with to move our progressive ideas forward.”
Political analysts believe Sanders was focusing on his campaign during today’s announcement and will have more to say about how he will be supporting Biden at a later date.
Joe Biden reacted in a lengthy post on Medium saying, in part:
As friends, Jill and I want to say to Bernie and Jane, we know how hard this is. You have put the interest of the nation — and the need to defeat Donald Trump — above all else. And for that Jill and I are grateful. But we also want you to know: I’ll be reaching out to you. You will be heard by me. As you say: Not me, Us.
And here’s the reaction from Donald Trump.