Vermont senator and Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders announced Wednesday he is officially suspending his presidential campaign, marking the second failed attempt by the far-left progressive to earn the Democratic Party's nomination and ultimately win the national election.
In his remarks, streamed live on his website, Sanders blamed the "corporate and political establishment" for limiting people's "vision" on what they are "entitled to," warning that millions of Americans will continue to struggle under racism, income inequality, homelessness and the effects of climate change. Even still, Sanders said he is suspending his campaign because it "cannot win."
"As I see the crisis gripping the nation, exacerbated by a president unwilling or unable to provide any kind of credible leadership and the work that needs to be done to protect people in this most desperate hour, I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important required of all of us in this difficult hour," Sanders said.
The announcement comes after a months-long run that largely pitted the Independent lawmaker, known for touting far-left socialist platforms like Medicare For All, student debt forgiveness and extreme measures to combat climate change, against the Democratic establishment's pick, former Vice President Joe Biden. Despite falling behind Biden in the primaries, Sanders continued to press forward with his campaign, pushing what he described as a social "revolution."
While Sanders did not explicitly endorse Biden in his remarks Wednesday, he did call the Democratic frontrunner "a very decent man who I will work with to move our progressive ideas forward." Sanders added that despite suspending his campaign, he "will stay on the ballot in all remaining states and continue to gather delegates."
"While Vice President Biden will be the nominee, we must continue working to assemble as many delegates as possible at the Democratic convention, where will be able to exert significant influence over the party platform," he said.