Bernie Sanders has decided to drop out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. This boosted Joe Biden's chance to become the nominee of Democrats.
The Vermont senator’s announcement may potentially position Biden as the rival of U.S. President Donald Trump in November.
Bernie Sanders explained that the coronavirus pandemic has been a huge deciding factor for abandoning the Democratic race. He added that his bid to compete with former Vice President Joe Biden in the primaries was “virtually impossible.”
“I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour,” Sanders said during a livestream.
However, Sanders pointed out that he would remain on primary ballots so he could appeal to more delegates and raise his agenda at the Democratic National Convention in August.
“Let us go forward together, the struggle continues,” Sanders told his supporters.
He previously promised a complete political and economic overhaul, including launching a single-payer “Medicare for All” health-care system. This program aims to cancel student debt and taxing the wealthy at higher rates.
Last fall, Sanders also backed down from all appearances while campaigning in Nevada. His campaign advisor Jeff Weaver explained that Sanders “experienced some chest discomfort” during an event the previous night.
Weaver added that a “blockage in one artery” was found during testing. Sanders had two stents inserted.
The campaign team also reported that Sanders "was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction," a heart attack. His first public appearance after the diagnosis was the fourth Democratic debate of the 2020 cycle. He thanked well-wishers “for their love, for their prayers.”
“I’m healthy, I’m feeling great,” Sanders told the audience.
“We are going to be mounting a vigorous campaign all over this country,” he promised. “That is how, I think, I can reassure the American people.”
2016 presidential race
In the 2016 presidential race, Sanders lost to Hillary Clinton as a Democrat representative.
“I look forward in the coming weeks to continue discussion between the two campaigns to make certain that your voices are heard and that the Democratic Party passes the most progressive platform in its history, and that Democrats actually fight for that agenda,” Sanders said.
“I also look forward to working with Secretary Clinton to transform the Democratic Party, so that it becomes a party of working people and young people, and not just wealthy campaign contributors, a party that has the guts to take on Wall Street, the pharmaceutical industry, the fossil fuel industry and the other powerful special interests that dominate so much of our political and economic life.”
Sanders on the coronavirus crisis
Sanders expressed his thoughts about the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. last month. He said that a response that “protects the interests of all our people regardless of their income, or where they live" is needed.
“In other words, this is not just about giving tax breaks to large corporations, but about remembering the people today who don’t have much money, who are nervous about their economic futures and health-care prospects,” he said last month.
