Bernie Sanders Campaign Just Conceded Nomination Fight, Congratulates Clinton

In a Tuesday primary that saw Hillary Clinton win four out of five states, the numbers seem to be too big of a hill for Bernie Sanders to climb at this point. Winning Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Delaware, Clinton seems to have a firm grasp on the Democratic nomination. Sanders took the state of Rhode Island.

Clinton
Image via Video

Shortly after the results came in, Sanders released a statement on his own website that the mainstream media reported on immediately. The statement reads:

“I congratulate Secretary Clinton on her victories tonight, and I look forward to issue-oriented campaigns in the 14 contests to come. I am proud that we were able to win a resounding victory tonight in Rhode Island, the one state with an open primary where independents had a say in the outcome. Democrats should recognize that the ticket with the best chance of winning this November must attract support from independents as well as Democrats. I am proud of my campaign’s record in that regard.”

“The people in every state in this country should have the right to determine who they want as president and what the agenda of the Democratic Party should be. That’s why we are in this race until the last vote is cast. That is why this campaign is going to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia with as many delegates as possible to fight for a progressive party platform that calls for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, an end to our disastrous trade policies, a Medicare-for-all health care system, breaking up Wall Street financial institutions, ending fracking in our country, making public colleges and universities tuition free and passing a carbon tax so we can effectively address the planetary crisis of climate change.”

One of the most telling details of the statement is the exclusion of any talk of winning the nomination. Just last week Sanders spoke to MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell about “a hard path” to victory after a loss to Clinton in New York. After this Tuesday’s loss there seems to be no mention of any sort of path.

Reactions to Clinton’s near sweep was quick and also pointed out the numbers that Sanders would need to win. BuzzFeed’s Andrew Kaczynski tweeted:

Clinton
Image via Twitter

While many will argue that this is not Sanders conceding, the fact does not change that this was definitely not a victory speech. Also, the numbers don’t lie. Perhaps one of the biggest questions now is: How will Sanders conduct himself from now to the convention?

Sanders could play an integral part in bringing the Democratic Party together, as well as shaping the way the party addresses many issues. He has already added immensely to the political landscape in regards to the issues he has fought for, especially shaking up the “status-quo” of big money politics.

Make no mistake, no matter the outcome of this election, Sanders has started a political movement that will be felt for a long time to come.

Kristie is 22-years-old and resides in Nashville, TN. While reading is a passion, she also has a passion for writing. Reporting on social issues such as LGBT rights, racial injustices, and religious intolerance, she also has a vested interest in the current political climate in America.