There's really no need for Bernie Sanders to suspend his campaign

[MineralMan]

Both candidates' names will be on all of the remaining primary ballots, so everyone will have a chance to vote for the candidate they prefer. The question, really, is about how the two candidates will campaign going forward. There's no need to suspend a campaign.

Bernie Sanders can continue to speak, although he probably won't quite as often. What he will have to say may be quite different though, in the remaining 15 (I think) primaries. He clearly knows now that he will not be the nominee, so perhaps he'll modify his campaign to continue to call for the priorities he has called for all along, but without the animus toward his primary opponent.

If he does that, there's no reason that he should suspend his campaign. He can, instead, wind it down gracefully and still get votes and delegates to the Convention. There, they will have opportunities to voice his priorities, even if they can't elect him as the nominee.

What will Bernie do? Probably the most sensible thing, given the numbers. What will his supporters do? Many will continue to vote for him in their primary elections. Some, of course, will give into anger and recriminations. That will be too bad, but it's their choice. In late July, the convention will adopt a new Democratic platform and nominate Hillary Clinton for President.

That will be just fine. Bernie will endorse her and call on her to adopt as much of his own platform as she can. It's all good, that way.

Still, I think you can expect Bernie to cut back on his travel and campaign appearances. That would only make sense. We'll see what he chooses to do. If your state hasn't held its primary, please go and vote for the candidate you prefer. Your vote will help send a message about what so many people want. It can make a difference.

Note: Most of this post was previously posted as a reply in another thread. It's my opinion, and I thank you for reading it.

[Maru Kitteh]

1. I do think he'll reduce his number of appearances in part because

he looks so very tired, and the goal is obviously different now.

I expect he will, as you predict here, do the right thing. He has said he will support her and I take him at his word. His friends/surrogates on CNN and MSNMC have all said as much.

Bill Press on MSNBC who has been the fiercest and most ardent of holdouts said last night that Senator Sanders will begin transitioning now and speaking to his supporters to urge them into the fold against the Republicans while still keeping a focus on his desires for the platform. Press said that Mr. Sanders never expected to become the nominee until, when it looked a little ways down the road he might have a shot at it, and that now that it is obvious he will not, Senator Sanders will return to his former footing.

[MineralMan]

2. I think you're right. I suspect that nobody is more suprised

than Bernie Sanders with his success in the primaries. Long ago, I posted a question about whether Sanders expected to win. That was before the first primary election. My answer was no. However, the results of the primaries have been surprising, in that he has accumulated about 40% of the primary vote nationwide. I'm sure he has been surprised at that, too.

I hope he continues to put his proposals forward. We're all listening, including Hillary Clinton. I just don't expect him to continue stumping at his previous pace, or with his previous vehemence. I hope he avoids bitterness and animus going forward, and turns to the job of keeping a Republican out of the White House. Nothing is more important in 2016.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. Bill Press said last night that Sen. Sanders would transition to active support of support Hillary

and do everything needed to help her keep a (R) out of the White House because this election, that truly is unthinkable.

Not an overnight transition mind you. What he described was kind of kind of a "stepping down" period while still gathering a few more delegates followed by stepping up to meet the challenges together going forward. I believe he will.

[MineralMan]

8. Yes, I'm sure he will, too.

There's ample time for him to shift his campaign in that direction, while still giving his supporters reasons to vote in upcoming primaries. DU tends to react in binary ways to complex analog situations. That's too bad, because it often leads to increased animosity.

[Garrett78]

13. I, too, am sure Sanders knew he was never going to become the nominee.

But Biden didn't run and none of the other Clinton-alternatives got traction (not surprising really), so Sanders did better than expected.

His is a message campaign, and he can continue to run, but *how* he campaigns must become more nuanced, if you will. It can be a bit awkward to campaign against someone who everyone knows will be the nominee, so focusing on Republican insanity and helping Democrats in down-ticket races (in those states where Sanders is most popular) is the way to go.

[ismnotwasm]

3. I agree

I think some people are suffering from primary fatigue, and just want it over, some people are poised to leave to Democratic Party, or perhaps not join in, as a Sanders nomination was the condition for doing so. So we are at a crossroads. There is no need for Sanders to do anything else but what you suggest.

[MineralMan]

4. Well, we'll see what he does.

Part of winding down is getting rid of the built-up animosity from the primaries. There's unifying to do. I hope Senator Sanders turns his attention to that during the remaining primary period. There's been enough polarization and there needs to be less of that and more of uniting to defeat Republicans at all levels of government.

Bernie's a good guy. He knows.

[ismnotwasm]

9. This is the first primary where I cared strongly about the outcome

Before 2000, I was a 3rd party or write in voter. I'm not sure I would have liked Sanders, as he isn't radical enough for my tastes back then, but it's likely. After Bush2, I became a Democrat. I simply wanted a Democrat to win, as most Democrats are dominant party largely allied with my belief systems. I no longer "throw away" my vote--it is a precious thing.

It's been quite the experience.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes. I think that's true for many people.

I've had strong opinions in most primary races, but understand that my opinions are not a deciding factor in much of anything. One of the problems and one of the strengths of our democratic republic is that it promotes slow, rather than abrupt, change. While that's frustrating at times, it does tend to contribute to stability in most basic areas.

Philosophically, I'm a socialist. I'm often frustrated by US politics. However, I accepted a long time ago that we would never operate as a socialistic nation. We're just too diverse, nationally, politically and in many other ways. So, I became a Democrat. That was the best compromise I could come up with. We do better when Democrats have power, and worse when Republicans do. We'd have made a lot more progress without 20th Century Republican-controlled periods. Sadly, the diversity of opinion I described above sometimes causes a shift to the right from time to time. More's the pity.

I live in a society that often goes in directions I don't like. However, I've not thought often of moving to another country. So, here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

[whatthehey]

5. No reason either

When he first announced, conventional wisdom had it that he was running to gain leverage for ideas and platform planks to the left of Clinton's. That was and remains a laudable goal well worth pursuing. He's done far better in the primaries than most predicted beyond those who make their predictions on emotion rather than data. He has earned and deserves substantial input into the platform, and that input will be more meaningful givena larger number of delegates. There's no reason to throw away a few hundred of them just because he cannot reasonably get 2383.

The sensible way forward is clear. Leverage his 40+% delegates into platform, and campaign, calls for MW increases, SSI protection, continued progress towards public option healthcare, progressive taxation, banking regulations, HFT taxes, and other widely popular proposals. Work a deal to influence cabinet picks not for Sanders himself but for kindred spirits such as Reich. Secure that and then declare victory by proxy, endorse and campaign for.

[MineralMan]

6. Very well stated.

I imagine a bit of time needs to pass before some people see the picture more clearly. Some never will, and will continue to foment discouragement and anger. They will be part of a tiny, ineffectual minority, though.

One thing that is perfectly clear is that DU does not represent the national electorate. Not at all. There is a serious rift between attitudes here an attitudes in general.

[Turin_C3PO]

11. That's what I predict will happen.

I do hope that Clinton adapts at least a couple of his economic policies going forward.

[MineralMan]

12. She has already shifted in some areas.

She's an astute sort of politician. She can see what Bernie's success says about the mood of the population. Bernie's campaign and success has not escaped her, so I expect to see those shifts be turned into action.

Others will say I'm stupid, but they often say that.