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In reply to the discussion: Sanders Rebuffs Pressure to Drop Bid as Clinton Meeting Set [View all]frazzled
(18,402 posts)What does pushing your principles forward (which is fine in itself) have to do with not suspending the campaign, conceding, or ... most importantly ... endorsing the winning candidate? Once you've lost, what leverage does that gain you? I should think it diminishes it.
Did Hillary Clinton, who actually won the popular vote in the 2008 primary (48.0% to Obama's 47.3%), though not the pledged or total delegates, vow to fight on to the convention and demand to change the party's rules (even though the caucus races hurt her chances) or prescribe its platform? She conceded and forcefully endorsed Obama 4 days after the last primary.
There's nothing special about Bernie Sanders's also-ran status. The threats of a "big exodus" are not impressive. Everybody's playing nicey-nicey to Bernie right now, but if he takes it too far, you're going to see some pushback. He's not all that.
In my book, if Sanders does not unequivocally endorse, it's worthless. The crazy portion of his minions will take his fight against Trump as a pass to vote for some loser like Jill Stein. But all the sane ones (which is most) will stick with Hillary anyway.
It's a sign of very poor character if he continues to fight conceding and endorsing. We wouldn't tolerate a losing NBA team refusing to shake hands after the game with the winner. And we shouldn't support Sanders if he fails to adhere to the same sportsmanlike character. This is about the COUNTRY, not his agenda. And yes, the Democratic Party really doesn't owe him anything. They're just giving everyone time to calm down and refocus before that is made clear.