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Bernie Sanders resists call by Obama to drop presidential bid – campaign live Bernie Sanders resists call by Obama to drop presidential bid – campaign live
(35 minutes later)
6.27pm GMT
18:27
Donald Trump seems fine with losing out on Lindsey graham’s endorsement...
Lyin' Ted Cruz lost all five races on Tuesday-and he was just given the jinx - a Lindsey Graham endorsement. Also backed Jeb. Lindsey got 0!
6.05pm GMT6.05pm GMT
18:0518:05
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
The editor-in-chief of one of the most influential Jewish-oriented publications in the country is calling for a boycott of billionaire Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s scheduled speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference on Monday.The editor-in-chief of one of the most influential Jewish-oriented publications in the country is calling for a boycott of billionaire Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump’s scheduled speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference on Monday.
“His many offensive, outrageous statements should have disqualified him from the invite list, but then again, they also should have disqualified him from earning a single primary vote for president,” wrote Jane Eisner, editor-in-chief of the Forward, a century-old newspaper geared towards Jewish Americans.“His many offensive, outrageous statements should have disqualified him from the invite list, but then again, they also should have disqualified him from earning a single primary vote for president,” wrote Jane Eisner, editor-in-chief of the Forward, a century-old newspaper geared towards Jewish Americans.
Instead of attending the speech, Eisner suggested an 13-point list of suggestions for AIPAC conference attendees - one that, surprisingly, does not beging with disinviting the candidate entirely.Instead of attending the speech, Eisner suggested an 13-point list of suggestions for AIPAC conference attendees - one that, surprisingly, does not beging with disinviting the candidate entirely.
“AIPAC can’t disinvite him. That’s not good manners, even if the invitee has shown he doesn’t have any himself,” Eisner wrote. Instead, “AIPAC should give him a time slot somewhere between 3:00 and 3:45 am. If that’s not possible, schedule his appearance before Hillary Clinton speaks. Let her eviscerate him. That’ll give him a taste of what’s to come.”“AIPAC can’t disinvite him. That’s not good manners, even if the invitee has shown he doesn’t have any himself,” Eisner wrote. Instead, “AIPAC should give him a time slot somewhere between 3:00 and 3:45 am. If that’s not possible, schedule his appearance before Hillary Clinton speaks. Let her eviscerate him. That’ll give him a taste of what’s to come.”
Other suggestions on Eisner’s list include refusing to play entrance music for Trump, withholding snarky tweets and refusing to livestream the event.Other suggestions on Eisner’s list include refusing to play entrance music for Trump, withholding snarky tweets and refusing to livestream the event.
Alternately, Eisner wrote, attendees could go do something else, since “Trump seems like a man who gets hives if he sees empty seats.”Alternately, Eisner wrote, attendees could go do something else, since “Trump seems like a man who gets hives if he sees empty seats.”
Trump has been heavily criticized in Jewish circles for telling Morning Joe that he wants voters to “let me be sort of a neutral guy” on issues relating to Israel and Palestine.Trump has been heavily criticized in Jewish circles for telling Morning Joe that he wants voters to “let me be sort of a neutral guy” on issues relating to Israel and Palestine.
5.39pm GMT5.39pm GMT
17:3917:39
Haroon MoghulHaroon Moghul
If you were Ted Cruz, and needed to break into the news cycle, consolidate conservative support, and stop the Trump juggernaut, what would you do? Easy: pick on Muslims.If you were Ted Cruz, and needed to break into the news cycle, consolidate conservative support, and stop the Trump juggernaut, what would you do? Easy: pick on Muslims.
We’ve come to expect this from a party whose supposedly moderate candidates are still prejudiced. Even so, Cruz’s latest move still has the power to dismay.We’ve come to expect this from a party whose supposedly moderate candidates are still prejudiced. Even so, Cruz’s latest move still has the power to dismay.
The presidential hopeful has named Frank Gaffney as a national security adviser to his campaign team. For those of you who don’t know him, Gaffney is a conspiracy theorist whose obsessive focus on Islam and Muslims is clear from his stated concerns about a “worrying pattern of official US submission to Islam and the theo-political-legal program the latter’s authorities call Shariah”. He believes the redesigned logo of the Missile Defense Agency, for example “appears ominously to reflect a morphing of the Islamic crescent and star with the Obama campaign logo”.The presidential hopeful has named Frank Gaffney as a national security adviser to his campaign team. For those of you who don’t know him, Gaffney is a conspiracy theorist whose obsessive focus on Islam and Muslims is clear from his stated concerns about a “worrying pattern of official US submission to Islam and the theo-political-legal program the latter’s authorities call Shariah”. He believes the redesigned logo of the Missile Defense Agency, for example “appears ominously to reflect a morphing of the Islamic crescent and star with the Obama campaign logo”.
Related: Think Trump's an Islamophobe? Meet Ted Cruz's national security advisor | Haroon MoghulRelated: Think Trump's an Islamophobe? Meet Ted Cruz's national security advisor | Haroon Moghul
5.14pm GMT5.14pm GMT
17:1417:14
Dan RobertsDan Roberts
Just a few steps from the White House, the latest secret gathering of Republicans seeking an answer to the question of who can still stop Donald Trump reached a demoralising answer for their party on Thursday night: Hillary Clinton.Just a few steps from the White House, the latest secret gathering of Republicans seeking an answer to the question of who can still stop Donald Trump reached a demoralising answer for their party on Thursday night: Hillary Clinton.
A bleak mood has swept over the Grand Old Party in the past 24 hours as the multiple implications of Trump’s latest victory in primary elections on Tuesday have slowly sunk in.A bleak mood has swept over the Grand Old Party in the past 24 hours as the multiple implications of Trump’s latest victory in primary elections on Tuesday have slowly sunk in.
The first realisation came quickly, as Marco Rubio’s chastening defeat in his home state of Florida forced him to join Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and Chris Christie on the heap of discarded alternatives.The first realisation came quickly, as Marco Rubio’s chastening defeat in his home state of Florida forced him to join Jeb Bush, Rand Paul and Chris Christie on the heap of discarded alternatives.
But the second, even more uncomfortable, realisation has taken longer to internalise. Even if Cruz and Kasich could provide an answer to the demographic conundrum, they barely stand a chance of beating Trump to the nomination.But the second, even more uncomfortable, realisation has taken longer to internalise. Even if Cruz and Kasich could provide an answer to the demographic conundrum, they barely stand a chance of beating Trump to the nomination.
Related: Who can stop Trump? Republicans may have little choice but to vote ClintonRelated: Who can stop Trump? Republicans may have little choice but to vote Clinton
4.49pm GMT4.49pm GMT
16:4916:49
Wall Street Journal to Donald Trump: “The truth hurts"Wall Street Journal to Donald Trump: “The truth hurts"
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal has returned fire in its increasingly public feud with billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, after the presidential candidate accused the paper of being “dummies” who are “bad at math.”The editorial board of the Wall Street Journal has returned fire in its increasingly public feud with billionaire Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, after the presidential candidate accused the paper of being “dummies” who are “bad at math.”
The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board on Friday fired back at Donald Trump after the Republican presidential candidate called them “dummies.”The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board on Friday fired back at Donald Trump after the Republican presidential candidate called them “dummies.”
The Twitter-fueled war began when the Wall Street Journal published an editorial that criticized Trump for declining to participate in a now-scuttled Republican presidential debate next week and mocked his inability to unify the Republican party: “If Mr. Trump can’t win a majority of Republicans, he can’t win a majority of Americans in November.”The Twitter-fueled war began when the Wall Street Journal published an editorial that criticized Trump for declining to participate in a now-scuttled Republican presidential debate next week and mocked his inability to unify the Republican party: “If Mr. Trump can’t win a majority of Republicans, he can’t win a majority of Americans in November.”
The paper then noted in an aside that “Hillary Clinton’s primary vote total so far is 8,646,551, according to the Real Clear Politics count. Mr. Trump’s is 7,533,692.”The paper then noted in an aside that “Hillary Clinton’s primary vote total so far is 8,646,551, according to the Real Clear Politics count. Mr. Trump’s is 7,533,692.”
Trump responded by posting a trio of tweets:Trump responded by posting a trio of tweets:
.@WSJ Editorial says "Clinton primary vote total is 8,646,551.Trump's is 7,533,692"-a knock. But she had only 3 opponents-I had 16.Apologize.@WSJ Editorial says "Clinton primary vote total is 8,646,551.Trump's is 7,533,692"-a knock. But she had only 3 opponents-I had 16.Apologize
.@WSJ is bad at math. The good news is, nobody cares what they say in their editorials anymore, especially me!.@WSJ is bad at math. The good news is, nobody cares what they say in their editorials anymore, especially me!
Please explain to the dummies at the @WSJ Editorial Board that I love to debate and have won, according to Drudge etc., all 11 of them!Please explain to the dummies at the @WSJ Editorial Board that I love to debate and have won, according to Drudge etc., all 11 of them!
The paper has responded to Trump’s accusations, declaring in its latest editorial that the editorial board “The truth hurts, though Mr. Trump would rather walk down Fifth Avenue shooting the messenger.” the newspaper wrote.The paper has responded to Trump’s accusations, declaring in its latest editorial that the editorial board “The truth hurts, though Mr. Trump would rather walk down Fifth Avenue shooting the messenger.” the newspaper wrote.
The editorial board responded to Trump’s specific criticism of its “bad math” by crediting the historically crowded Republican presidential primary field as the mechanism for his political success.The editorial board responded to Trump’s specific criticism of its “bad math” by crediting the historically crowded Republican presidential primary field as the mechanism for his political success.
“His rise has been cleared by the large and fractured GOP field,” the editorial says. “Of the 20.35 million GOP primary votes cast so far, he has received 7.54 million, or a mere 37%. Despite the media desire to call him unstoppable, Mr. Trump is the weakest Republican front-runner since Gerald Ford in 1976.”“His rise has been cleared by the large and fractured GOP field,” the editorial says. “Of the 20.35 million GOP primary votes cast so far, he has received 7.54 million, or a mere 37%. Despite the media desire to call him unstoppable, Mr. Trump is the weakest Republican front-runner since Gerald Ford in 1976.”
Nonetheless, the Wall Street Journal thanked Trump for being “such a loyal reader.”Nonetheless, the Wall Street Journal thanked Trump for being “such a loyal reader.”
4.07pm GMT4.07pm GMT
16:0716:07
Could the Republican party ever look as diverse as Brooklyn?Could the Republican party ever look as diverse as Brooklyn?
In this first collaboration between BRIC TV and Guardian US, host Brian Vines, inspired by a GOP election ad hailing diversity, searches for Republicans of color in Brooklyn, New York. Along the way he finds a young activist in Brownsville, a neighborhood that is 77% African American, chats with a self-proclaimed old-timer conservative, and a rides along with a Haitian cabbie who likes Donald Trump.In this first collaboration between BRIC TV and Guardian US, host Brian Vines, inspired by a GOP election ad hailing diversity, searches for Republicans of color in Brooklyn, New York. Along the way he finds a young activist in Brownsville, a neighborhood that is 77% African American, chats with a self-proclaimed old-timer conservative, and a rides along with a Haitian cabbie who likes Donald Trump.
3.49pm GMT3.49pm GMT
15:4915:49
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
Donald Trump’s near-sweep in Tuesday’s Republican primaries gave him a commanding lead in the race to accumulate the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the Republican nomination. But does that mean Trump should be considered his party’s presumptive nominee? Not quite. The unique circumstances around this year’s presidential election mean a contested convention is likely and that the topsy-turvy Republican primary could get even more unusual.Donald Trump’s near-sweep in Tuesday’s Republican primaries gave him a commanding lead in the race to accumulate the 1,237 delegates needed to clinch the Republican nomination. But does that mean Trump should be considered his party’s presumptive nominee? Not quite. The unique circumstances around this year’s presidential election mean a contested convention is likely and that the topsy-turvy Republican primary could get even more unusual.
Related: Contested convention: what happens if Trump fails to win enough delegates?Related: Contested convention: what happens if Trump fails to win enough delegates?
3.26pm GMT3.26pm GMT
15:2615:26
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders may have brought the heat in an onstage condemnation of Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, but he was less interested in continuing the polemic in an interview with local news reporters afterwards.Vermont senator Bernie Sanders may have brought the heat in an onstage condemnation of Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio, but he was less interested in continuing the polemic in an interview with local news reporters afterwards.
In an interview with Brahm Resnik, a reporter for Phoenix’s local NBC affiliate, Sanders cut off the reporter mid-question when the alloted time for his interview was over.In an interview with Brahm Resnik, a reporter for Phoenix’s local NBC affiliate, Sanders cut off the reporter mid-question when the alloted time for his interview was over.
“I learned that when he says an interview is over, boy, is it over,” Resnik told his desk anchors.“I learned that when he says an interview is over, boy, is it over,” Resnik told his desk anchors.
“Let me tell you something,” Sanders said.” What Joe Arpaio is doing is an outrage. My wife went to go look at the so-called Tent City, which is something that should not exist. The fact he crashed her meeting is to me very, very wrong. Not something that he should have done.”“Let me tell you something,” Sanders said.” What Joe Arpaio is doing is an outrage. My wife went to go look at the so-called Tent City, which is something that should not exist. The fact he crashed her meeting is to me very, very wrong. Not something that he should have done.”
When Resnik attempted to get Sanders to clarify his position, the candidate waved him off, saying “Thank you very much, thank you very much.”When Resnik attempted to get Sanders to clarify his position, the candidate waved him off, saying “Thank you very much, thank you very much.”
Resnik called Sanders “the first candidate who has ever walked away. He said my allotted four minutes were up, so he walked away.”Resnik called Sanders “the first candidate who has ever walked away. He said my allotted four minutes were up, so he walked away.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.34pm GMTat 3.34pm GMT
3.08pm GMT3.08pm GMT
15:0815:08
In a matchup worthy of the Old West, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders is squaring off against one of the most powerful - and controversial - figures in Arizona politics ahead of the state’s Democratic primary next week.In a matchup worthy of the Old West, Vermont senator Bernie Sanders is squaring off against one of the most powerful - and controversial - figures in Arizona politics ahead of the state’s Democratic primary next week.
Speaking to a crowd at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, the presidential candidate called Maricopa county sheriff Joe Arpaio an “un-American” bully whose rule over his desert kingdom is “uncivilized.”Speaking to a crowd at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, the presidential candidate called Maricopa county sheriff Joe Arpaio an “un-American” bully whose rule over his desert kingdom is “uncivilized.”
“If elected president, we are going to pass comprehensive immigration reform and a path toward citizenship, whether Mr. Arpaio likes it or not,” Sanders said.“If elected president, we are going to pass comprehensive immigration reform and a path toward citizenship, whether Mr. Arpaio likes it or not,” Sanders said.
Arpaio, known throughout Arizona as “Sheriff Joe,” is wildly popular with law-and-order Arizonans who call him “America’s toughest sheriff,” but has come under nationwide scrutiny for abuse of power, particularly in cases relating to undocumented immigrants.Arpaio, known throughout Arizona as “Sheriff Joe,” is wildly popular with law-and-order Arizonans who call him “America’s toughest sheriff,” but has come under nationwide scrutiny for abuse of power, particularly in cases relating to undocumented immigrants.
Jane Sanders, the candidate’s wife, had met with Arpaio earlier this week at “Tent City,” where inmates in Maricopa County are held in Korean War-era tents in the open air.Jane Sanders, the candidate’s wife, had met with Arpaio earlier this week at “Tent City,” where inmates in Maricopa County are held in Korean War-era tents in the open air.
“She asked him about racial profiling, and he didn’t have an answer,” Sanders said of his wife’s meeting with the sheriff. “She asked him about conditions in Tent City and other abuses that he has perpetuated, and he didn’t have an answer. You know what, he cannot have an answer, because what he is doing is un-American and uncivilized.”“She asked him about racial profiling, and he didn’t have an answer,” Sanders said of his wife’s meeting with the sheriff. “She asked him about conditions in Tent City and other abuses that he has perpetuated, and he didn’t have an answer. You know what, he cannot have an answer, because what he is doing is un-American and uncivilized.”
“It’s easy for bullies like Sheriff Arpaio to pick on people who have no power,” Sanders said, “but if I’m elected president, the president of the United States does have the power.”“It’s easy for bullies like Sheriff Arpaio to pick on people who have no power,” Sanders said, “but if I’m elected president, the president of the United States does have the power.”
“Watch out, Joe!” he concluded, to loud cheers and applause.“Watch out, Joe!” he concluded, to loud cheers and applause.
2.50pm GMT2.50pm GMT
14:5014:50
We know virtually everything about the presidential candidates, and as the primaries press on we’re getting a better sense of their national electability. As the race to the White House heats up, we’d like to know which issue – big or small – matters most to you and why.We know virtually everything about the presidential candidates, and as the primaries press on we’re getting a better sense of their national electability. As the race to the White House heats up, we’d like to know which issue – big or small – matters most to you and why.
Which topic would you like to see the candidates talking about more? Does it matter to you personally? Whether you know who you’re voting for, are yet to decide or have voted already, tell us about the subject candidates should be addressing by completing the form below. We’ll feature a selection of the most interesting contributions in our coverage.Which topic would you like to see the candidates talking about more? Does it matter to you personally? Whether you know who you’re voting for, are yet to decide or have voted already, tell us about the subject candidates should be addressing by completing the form below. We’ll feature a selection of the most interesting contributions in our coverage.
Related: Which issue do you want US election candidates to discuss?Related: Which issue do you want US election candidates to discuss?
2.24pm GMT2.24pm GMT
14:2414:24
Poll: Donald Trump would lose New York to Hillary Clinton by 19 pointsPoll: Donald Trump would lose New York to Hillary Clinton by 19 points
Scott BixbyScott Bixby
Donald Trump is no hometown hero, if a new poll of New York voters is any indication.Donald Trump is no hometown hero, if a new poll of New York voters is any indication.
The Queens-born billionaire holds a Hudson-wide lead over his Republican opponents in the state’s upcoming Republican primary, according to an Emerson College poll of likely GOP primary voters in New York, beating Texas senator by 52 points, 64% to 12%. Subtracting the now-suspended campaign of Marco Rubio and the barely-there campaign of Ohio governor John Kasich, and a two-man matchup between Trump and Cruz leads to a 69% to 25% victory for the real estate tycoon.The Queens-born billionaire holds a Hudson-wide lead over his Republican opponents in the state’s upcoming Republican primary, according to an Emerson College poll of likely GOP primary voters in New York, beating Texas senator by 52 points, 64% to 12%. Subtracting the now-suspended campaign of Marco Rubio and the barely-there campaign of Ohio governor John Kasich, and a two-man matchup between Trump and Cruz leads to a 69% to 25% victory for the real estate tycoon.
But in a face off with former New York senator Hillary Clinton, Trump gets crushed, losing the Empire State by 19 points, 36% to Clinton’s 55%. Even if Vermont senator Bernie Sanders claims the Democratic nomination, New York still votes for the Democratic ticket-topper by a margin of 17 points.But in a face off with former New York senator Hillary Clinton, Trump gets crushed, losing the Empire State by 19 points, 36% to Clinton’s 55%. Even if Vermont senator Bernie Sanders claims the Democratic nomination, New York still votes for the Democratic ticket-topper by a margin of 17 points.
If Trump loses the Republican nomination, New York remains a steep mountain to climb for any Republican candidate: Cruz would lose the state by 31 points against Clinton, 30% to Clinton’s 61%.If Trump loses the Republican nomination, New York remains a steep mountain to climb for any Republican candidate: Cruz would lose the state by 31 points against Clinton, 30% to Clinton’s 61%.
2.14pm GMT2.14pm GMT
14:1414:14
Ed PilkingtonEd Pilkington
Thousands of US government employees under permanent surveillance are being investigated for signs of “greed”, “ego”, money worries, disgruntlement or other flaws in the hope of intercepting the next big official leak, according to a document obtained by Chelsea Manning.Thousands of US government employees under permanent surveillance are being investigated for signs of “greed”, “ego”, money worries, disgruntlement or other flaws in the hope of intercepting the next big official leak, according to a document obtained by Chelsea Manning.
The extent of the government’s internal surveillance system designed to prevent massive leaks of the sort linked to WikiLeaks and the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden is revealed in the document, published here by the Guardian for the first time. The US soldier, who is serving 35 years in military prison as the source of the 2010 WikiLeaks disclosure of secret state documents, requested her own intelligence file under freedom of information laws.The extent of the government’s internal surveillance system designed to prevent massive leaks of the sort linked to WikiLeaks and the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden is revealed in the document, published here by the Guardian for the first time. The US soldier, who is serving 35 years in military prison as the source of the 2010 WikiLeaks disclosure of secret state documents, requested her own intelligence file under freedom of information laws.
The file was compiled under the “Insider Threat” program that was set up by President Obama in the wake of Manning’s disclosures. The file shows that officials have been using Manning’s story as a case study from which they have built a profile of the modern official leaker in the hope of catching future disclosures before they happen.The file was compiled under the “Insider Threat” program that was set up by President Obama in the wake of Manning’s disclosures. The file shows that officials have been using Manning’s story as a case study from which they have built a profile of the modern official leaker in the hope of catching future disclosures before they happen.
Related: Chelsea Manning: government anti-leak program a 'blank check for surveillance'Related: Chelsea Manning: government anti-leak program a 'blank check for surveillance'
2.05pm GMT2.05pm GMT
14:0514:05
David SmithDavid Smith
Judge Merrick Garland is a “tough man” ready to take whatever Republicans throw at him in the rancorous battle over his supreme court nomination, Senate minority leader Harry Reid said yesterday evening.Judge Merrick Garland is a “tough man” ready to take whatever Republicans throw at him in the rancorous battle over his supreme court nomination, Senate minority leader Harry Reid said yesterday evening.
Garland met Reid and Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington a day after his name was put forward by Barack Obama.Garland met Reid and Vermont senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate judiciary committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington a day after his name was put forward by Barack Obama.
But he did not meet Senate Republicans, who are holding out against confirmation hearings or a vote and, with the court’s ideological balance at stake, reiterated their stance that the next president should make the selection.But he did not meet Senate Republicans, who are holding out against confirmation hearings or a vote and, with the court’s ideological balance at stake, reiterated their stance that the next president should make the selection.
After a long career in the law, Garland, 63, suddenly finds himself at the centre of political trench warfare. “This is all new to him,” Reid told reporters outside his office following their conversation. “Politics is not something he’s been involved in.”After a long career in the law, Garland, 63, suddenly finds himself at the centre of political trench warfare. “This is all new to him,” Reid told reporters outside his office following their conversation. “Politics is not something he’s been involved in.”
Related: Merrick Garland a 'tough man' who can take brickbats, says Harry ReidRelated: Merrick Garland a 'tough man' who can take brickbats, says Harry Reid
1.23pm GMT1.23pm GMT
13:2313:23
Bernie Sanders says calls for him to drop out are 'absurd'Bernie Sanders says calls for him to drop out are 'absurd'
Hello, and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House. Jumping right in ... Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, responding to reports Barack Obama called on Democrats to rally around Hillary Clinton as the likely nominee, said Thursday that it was “absurd” to suggest he drop out of the race.Hello, and welcome to our live-wire coverage of the 2016 race for the White House. Jumping right in ... Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, responding to reports Barack Obama called on Democrats to rally around Hillary Clinton as the likely nominee, said Thursday that it was “absurd” to suggest he drop out of the race.
Obama privately told a group of Democratic donors last Friday that Sanders was nearing the point at which his campaign against Clinton would end, and that the party must soon come together to back her, the New York Times reported.Obama privately told a group of Democratic donors last Friday that Sanders was nearing the point at which his campaign against Clinton would end, and that the party must soon come together to back her, the New York Times reported.
Sanders, a Vermont senator and democratic socialist, while saying he did not want to comment directly on Obama’s reported remarks, pushed back on the idea that his campaign had run its course and he should throw in the towel.Sanders, a Vermont senator and democratic socialist, while saying he did not want to comment directly on Obama’s reported remarks, pushed back on the idea that his campaign had run its course and he should throw in the towel.
“The bottom line is that when only half of the American people have participated in the political process … I think it is absurd for anybody to suggest that those people not have a right to cast a vote,” Sanders told MSNBC.“The bottom line is that when only half of the American people have participated in the political process … I think it is absurd for anybody to suggest that those people not have a right to cast a vote,” Sanders told MSNBC.
The White House on Thursday said Obama did not indicate which candidate he preferred in his remarks to the donors.The White House on Thursday said Obama did not indicate which candidate he preferred in his remarks to the donors.
Related: Bernie Sanders says calls for him to drop out of Democratic race are 'absurd'Related: Bernie Sanders says calls for him to drop out of Democratic race are 'absurd'
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.36pm GMTat 1.36pm GMT