In the past 48 hours, multiple press reports say that Sen. Bernie Sanders has refused to concede the Democratic presidential nomination to Hillary Clinton. The Vermont independent insists he still intends to shake up the Democratic national convention next month, and that he remains on a mission to defeat Republican presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton will meet Tuesday in the nation’s capital; little is known about the agenda, though Mr. Sanders told NBC News that he wants to get a clear idea about his rival’s platform.
His fans have not deserted him even as their hopes for his election ebb. They don’t want to see him left by the wayside, and a sizable number prefer he make a bid for president as an independent or third-party candidate.
“More than three-quarters of Democrats say Sanders should have a major role in shaping the party’s positions, while nearly two-thirds say Hillary Clinton — who beat him for the nomination — should pick him as her vice-presidential running mate,” states a new Reuters/Ipsos poll of Democratic voters.
“In a sign that Democrats hope their party can unite after a fierce primary season, two-thirds also said that Sanders should endorse Clinton,” the findings noted. “While most Democrats want Sanders to line up behind Clinton, about 44 percent would like him to make an independent run for the White House. Some 47 percent said he should not.”
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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