“Today I am suspending my campaign. But while the campaign ends, the struggle for justice continues on.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I–Vt., officially dropped out of the 2020 Presidential Race on Wednesday. He shared the news and reasoning behind his decision.

And Then There Was One

“I know that there may be some in our movement who disagree with this decision, who would like us to fight on until the last ballot cast at the Democratic convention. I understand that position,” Sanders said. “But 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 work required of all of us in this difficult hour.”

“Today I am suspending my campaign. But while the campaign ends, the struggle for justice continues on,” he added on Twitter.

Sanders was the frontrunner in a crowded field of Democratic candidates as the primary season took shape. Super Tuesday, however, stole the wind from his campaign’s sails as former Vice President Joe Biden swept every southern state plus Massachusetts and Minnesota. Losses in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, and Arizona followed in short order, which made the possibility of Sanders pulling off a victory a mathematical improbability, the New York Times reported.

With Sanders out of the race, President Donald Trump now has a definite answer of who he will face in the November general election. Trump had prepared for Biden from the onset, even asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a “favor” — investigating Biden and his son, Hunter. The scandal resulted in Trump’s impeachment, although he was subsequently acquitted by the Senate.

The president immediately shared his thoughts on the news on Twitter.

“Bernie Sanders is OUT! Thank you to Elizabeth Warren. If not for her, Bernie would have won almost every state on Super Tuesday! This ended just like the Democrats & the DNC wanted, same as the Crooked Hillary fiasco,” Trump tweeted. “The Bernie people should come to the Republican Party, TRADE!”

He also suggested that progressive Democrats such as The Squad — Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, N.Y., Ilhan Omar, Minn., Rashida Talib, Mich., and Ayanna Pressley, Mass. — would not fall in line behind Biden.

“Can’t see AOC plus 3 supporting Sleepy Joe!” Trump tweeted, using his nickname for Biden.

“Something Rare”

The presumptive Democratic nominee reached out to Sanders’ supporters, telling them, “I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of what it is we have to get done in this country. I hope you will join us. You are more than welcome. You’re needed.

Biden was cordial with the senator after he announced he would exit the race.

“You have put the interest of the nation — and the need to defeat Donald Trump — above all else. And for that Jill [Biden] and I are grateful,” Biden wrote.

Biden also articulated that he understood Sanders’ role in redefining the Democratic Party and pledged to incorporate some of the issues that became tentpole pillars in the Sanders campaign such as climate change, healthcare, and university tuition. 

“Bernie has done something rare in politics. He hasn’t just run a political campaign; he’s created a movement. And make no mistake about it, I 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.”

First, however, Biden said the mission will be to navigate the COVID-19 crisis and resulting economic and societal effects. Once the health pandemic recedes, his priory is to fix the “cracks in the social safety net.” Climate change, too, can’t wait for action, Biden said.

VP Talk

With Sanders eliminated, the Biden campaign will now focus on vetting options for vice president. Biden previously promised to name a woman to his ticket. Speculation has swirled that Sen. Kamala Harris, D–Cali., could be his running mate. Harris dropped out of the Democratic primary in December after sparring with Biden over integrated busing.

Recently, however, she signed an agreement with the Democratic National Committee that will allow her to continue accepting donations with a cap of $357,800. Most of it would go toward the party, but $2.800 can be applied to the debt her campaign accrued in the primary.

Harris did not confirm or deny that she is a possible choice. 

“I know that conversation is taking place in the press and among the pundits, and I’m honored to even be considered, if that’s the case,” Harris said Wednesday on ABC’s “The View”.

Despite the animosity between the two candidates during the primary season, the Biden campaign insisted there are no hard feelings and Harris maintained she has “a great deal of affection” for him,” ABC News reported.