Bernie most likely officially concedes after DC primary

[oberliner]

That seems to make the most sense. Hillary will likely win the DC primary pretty handily. Bernie will then be able to say that he was in the race until every last vote was counted. At that point, however, there really won't be any way for Bernie to claim that he has a pathway to the nomination.

This week will be the time where the campaigns can communicate and come together on the best way to present a unified front moving forward. Remember in 2008, there was a meeting between Hillary and Obama where they talked things out before Hillary officially made her concession speech and full-throated endorsement of Obama.

It seems like the same process will likely be playing out here over the next week, with a culminating unity event shortly after the DC primary.

Does that sound right to folks?

[bigwillq]

1. I'm fine with Bernie staying in until after DC.

Bernie will have to concede at some point, whether it's today, next week or next month. I think Bernie should do it on his terms, and what he feels is right for his campaign. I'm fine with him taking time to do it if that's what he chooses. I believe he will concede and he will endorse Hillary.

[oberliner]

7. Makes sense

It seems like after the DC primary would be the logical choice in terms of timing.

[PJMcK]

28. Well said, bigwillq

Let's let Senator Sanders have his last moments in the spotlight. He fought a good campaign. Whether one agrees with his tactics or not, he garnered millions of votes and inspired many people to the issues he brought forth.

Hillary Clinton is going to be the Democratic nominee and the Senator knows it. He deserves a soft landing and most of us are better people that can respect his efforts.

[Silver_Witch]

2. I agree based on his speech last night!

Honestly we all knew it would be a hard fight. I too am in it to the end. Another donation was made to help Bernie stay in the race. He is a good man!

When he tells us it is over I will look for down ticket dems to donate to. There are some very good ones.

And Bernie and all us supporters will keep working hard to bring change!!!

No money of mine will go to Hillary and no unity here with DU supports who have muckracketed for months. Sorry not now...not tomorrow!

[moriah]

20. I'm not sure if you saw my post last night...

... I swear I hate the media for stirring shit up, but I am glad I had been watching as the rally room got more intensely heated waiting for Bernie to speak, being unable to hear the commentary about early vote totals not being really a strong indicator of a huge Clinton win but of the mail-in vote which they already knew skewed Clinton's way, but seeing headlines like "Obama Calls Hillary Presumptive Nominee"...

Because otherwise, the boos against Hillary and Obama, and the fact that Bernie seemed like he had more to say on unity but the audience wasn't ready to hear it... would have made me have a very different impression of the supporters in that room.

[tonyt53]

3. But the difference is, there is now sitting Democratic President that will be involved.

Big difference between now an 2008. Obama will be a bit more direct to Bernie this Thursday than he was this past weekend.

[oberliner]

8. Do you think Obama will make a statement before DC?

He might hold off until then as well. What harm is there in waiting until Tuesday?

[MohRokTah]

4. I'll nly believe it when I see it.

I don't believe a man of such low character as Sanders will ever concede.

[boston bean]

10. I thought he would a while back. But I have serious doubts, now.

After reading the politico story today, and watching him last night... I believe he is on a one man crusade to get what he thinks it is he deserves.

And it isn't party platform changes... or a good speaking spot at the convention.... It is to sway super D's to his side and fight this to the first ballot at the convention.

I hope I am not right.

[auntpurl]

27. I entirely disagree with this post.

[PJMcK]

29. You're a bigger person, MohRokTah

In fact, your long-time participation on this site proves that.

Hillary Clinton has secured the nomination and we need to move forward, just as Secretary Clinton's logo implies. You needn't disparage Senator Sanders. He lost.

Let's be sure to defeat the Republicans!

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. I was going to post a photo of Hiroo Onoda but that would violate my pledge to be nice.

[HumanityExperiment]

6. DEM convention...

Party over principle... this is the bit, HRC and her supporters embrace and what they fail to understand about Bernie's campaign

Simply put, DEM establishment is in uncharted waters, they have NO bearing to guide them... their flailing until convention will be a thing to behold...

'Sore winner' will be the tamest of the adjectives to define them...

Principle matters so much more than party.. and this lesson will hurt... and hurt badly rolling into and through convention but one DEM establishment will learn

[oberliner]

9. You think he won't concede if he loses in DC

That would surprise me.

[HumanityExperiment]

13. ...'surprise me'...

prepared to be 'surprised'.... a lot....

[Fast Walker 52]

12. I think you are being way too dramatic

The Dems are fine with Hillary. They'd like to have Sanders behind them, but come on, it's over.

[HumanityExperiment]

14. ..drama...

DEM establishment is 'fine' with HRC, SDs pledging before a single primary vote was cast proved that out

'but come on, it's over'

Interesting, you claim a movement is 'over', how did you come to that conclusion?

I get it, you still don't understand what's going on... relax, it's about to get exciting

[Fast Walker 52]

17. I didn't say the movement was over-- the primary is effectively over

I love Bernie, did some campaigning for him and gave him a lot of money.

But his fight for the presidency is over. It's time to work for getting Democrats elected not to just the presidency but also the House and Senate. Stopping Trump is more important than the "movement", IMO.

[Lord Magus]

22. Bernie Sanders is a candidate, not a movement. -nt-

[HumanityExperiment]

24. agree to disagree...

you're entitled to your own perception but not your own facts

[Lord Magus]

23. What principle is involved in demanding the voters' choice be overturned? -nt-

[HumanityExperiment]

25. ...missed point...

principles over party

WHOOSH

hear that sound? right over your head....

[Fast Walker 52]

11. Yes, that seems about right

I just hope he doesn't keep stubbornly talking about a contested convention or go third party.

[Zorro]

15. I don't trust Bernie

I think he'll continue his kamikaze mission to bern the Democratic Party at the convention.

[hrmjustin]

16. I think he wants DC to have a chance to vote and will concede after.

I am hopeful about his intentions.

[azurnoir]

18. NO just NO

[oberliner]

30. What do you think will happen?

How do you think things will play out?

[geek tragedy]

19. I think he's done attacking Clinton and trying to undermine her in any way.

I have my doubts that he's going to endorse Clinton--he doesn't want to alienate the members of the Not Hillary party who are supporting him.

But, I'll take him no longer being a problem.

[democrattotheend]

21. That makes sense to me

I am glad that he is going forward with his rally at RFK Stadium. People in that part of DC rarely get much attention from national politicians, and I think it's good of him to honor his commitment. Like you said, after next week he can say that he fought for every last vote.

Alternatively, he might use that rally to give a concession speech. If nothing else, he probably did not want to give his farewell address at 2 in the morning when nobody was watching.

I don't know why everyone is being so hard on him about this. Hillary didn't concede until four days after the last primary in 2008. Ted Cruz did not concede until a day or two after Trump locked it up.

[auntpurl]

26. I agree with you.

This makes the most sense. I also think (hope?) this week we will see NO rhetoric from either Bernie or Hillary about the other. It will all be focused on Trump and the danger he presents.

Bernie has said before Hillary on her worst day is miles better than Trump. So far, he's given me little reason to doubt he will do the right thing in the end. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome here, because otherwise Bernie is going to be eviscerated by the party including Obama and I don't want that for him and especially for Hillary.