Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) called it quits on his second try at the Democratic nomination on Wednesday afternoon, after a long and hard fight against establishment candidates. Sen. Sanders was the last standing challenger against former Vice President Joe Biden, who can now safely assume that he has clinched the nomination.
Sen. Sanders’ former opponents in the Democratic primary all praised his movement, despite calling his policy proposals “unrealistic” and “unfeasible,” during the primary:
To Bernie and Jane, as friends, from Jill and me: You haven’t just run a political campaign; you’ve created a movement. And make no mistake about it, we believe it’s a movement that is as powerful today as it was yesterday. That’s a good thing for our nation and our future.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 8, 2020
I’ve admired @BernieSanders’ courage for 20 years and loved getting to know him this last year on the trail. He and his supporters are a tremendous force, and I’m looking forward to teaming up to end the Trump presidency and open the door to a better American era.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) April 8, 2020
.@BernieSanders &Jane are good friends of ours. Bernie &I came into the Senate together &in the words of Paul Wellstone, he‘s always fought tirelessly to improve peoples' lives. His decision to end his campaign is a decision to unite our party &shows he is a true public servant.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) April 8, 2020
That fight does not end today. We’ll continue it together in the Senate and keep working to hold the wealthy and well-connected accountable to the people.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 8, 2020
.@BernieSanders is an extraordinary leader. From health care to climate change, his campaign drove the conversation around what's in the best interests of working families. We must continue that spirit and ethos as we work to unite the party to defeat Trump.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 8, 2020
Grateful to Bernie Sanders for the movement he leads and for the campaign he ran. He and his supporters have pushed us to be a better country. They will be critical to defeating Trump & helping the U.S. pursue the most ambitious agenda in our history starting in January 2021.
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) April 8, 2020
Bernie is suspending his campaign but his efforts advanced many ideas our nation must embrace from health care as a right to ending the nightmare of crippling college debt.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 8, 2020
I look forward to continuing to work with @BernieSanders in the Senate for true justice for all.
Deepest gratitude, Bernie. You articulated a vision for a much better America & we’ll keep working to make it happen. For those who’ve supported you, it will take a few days to process this. But we’ll rise up with passion & renewed dedication, always with your name on our hearts.
— Marianne Williamson (@marwilliamson) April 8, 2020
Sen. Sanders' elevation within the Democratic Party is largely attributed to his substantial following, which is encompassed by young voters who seek a revolution in American politics. Former Vice President Joe Biden will have to court these voters, who view him as a moderate.