Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders vowed to stay in the race and challenge former Vice President Joe Biden on the issues despite falling behind in the delegate race.
Sanders addressed supporters on Wednesday after declining to make any public statement after results came in on Tuesday.
"Last night was obviously not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view," Sanders said. "What became even more apparent yesterday is that while we are currently losing the delegate count . . . we are strongly winning in two enormously important areas, which will determine the future of our country. Poll after poll shows that a strong majority of the American people support our progressive agenda."
"The American people are deeply concerned about the grotesque level of income inequality in this country and want corporations to start paying their fair share of taxes. Overwhelming support for that," Sanders added. "Even in conservative states like Mississippi, there is an overwhelming understanding that we spend twice as much on health care as any other country. This crisis is becoming more and more obvious to the American people as we face the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. Imagine facing a pandemic and having 87 million who are having a difficult time going to a doctor when they need it."
Sanders said that despite winning the ideological debate he is “losing the electability debate.”
"Needless to say, I strongly disagree with that assertion. But that is what millions of Democrats and independents believe," he said. "On Sunday, I very much look forward to the debate in Arizona with my friend, Joe Biden," he added, vowing to challenge Biden on issues such as climate change, college tuition, criminal justice, health care, immigration and income inequality.
Bernie says beating Trump is most important:
“Donald Trump must be defeated, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen," Sanders said. "Sunday night, the American people will have the opportunity to see which candidate is best positioned to accomplish that goal."
The comments came after Biden offered a message of unity to Sanders supporters on Tuesday.
"I want to thank Bernie Sanders and his supporters for their tireless energy and their passion. We share a common goal," he said. "And together, we'll defeat Donald Trump. We'll defeat him together."
Warren not expected to endorse:
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is not expected to endorse either of the candidates until the primary concludes, The New York Times reports.
Warren, who dropped out following Super Tuesday, has stayed mum on which candidate she will support.
Though Warren’s policies are largely aligned with Sanders, the Vermont senator has lost in most of the states that have voted this month.
Warren was already “reluctant” to support Sanders after they clashed during the campaign.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said she understands Warren’s perspective.
“I always want to see us come together as a progressive wing,” she said. “I think that’s important and where we draw strength from. But at the same time, I come from the lens of an organizer, and if someone doesn’t do what you want, you don’t blame them — you ask why. And you don’t demand that answer of that person — you reflect. And that reflection is where you can grow.”
