Bernie Sanders suspends presidential bid due to “impossible” path

Former Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders.(Charles Krupa/AP)

By Aaron Sincere Kershaw

Now, former presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (I-V) ended his quest for the White House Wednesday, declaring the path forward to be "virtually impossible."

The decision comes weeks after Sanders suffered devastating losses in some states and underperformed wins in others. 

Sanders acknowledged the new coronavirus, COVID-19, as partial consideration for his decision to end his once-promising campaign.

"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 live stream from his home in Vermont.

The leftist progressive movement Sanders started in 2015 was charged by a vast coalition with younger Americans leading the charge. Sanders' bold policy prescriptions were exciting and inspired progressives to advocate for plans that establishment Democrats considered political "third rails," such as universal healthcare and $15 per hour minimum wage.

Unfortunately, the Sanders campaign had less excitement behind its 2020 bid, losing states he'd won in 2016, such as Michigan, Oklahoma, and Minnesota.

Other known progressives took to social media, thanking Sanders, for his efforts and groundbreaking ideas.

Progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), who notably did not endorse Sanders, thanked her former rival for his efforts. 

"Your fight for progressive ideas moved the conversation and charted a path for candidates and activists that will change the course of our country and party," Warren said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) thanks Senator Bernie Sanders (I-V). via Twitter

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14th District), also thanked her "mentor" for leading the progressive movement that inspired her to run for Congress in 2018.

"Thank you for your leadership, mentorship, and example. We love you," AOC said via Twitter.

With Sanders out of the race, Former Vice President Joe Biden is the presumptive Democratic nominee and will face incumbent Donald Trump in November.

Sanders has not yet explicitly endorsed Biden. Instead, he plans to remain on ballots in the upcoming primaries to collect more delegates in hopes of influencing the democratic establishment to adopt his progressive policies further.

"Then together, standing united, we will go forward to defeat Donald Trump, the most dangerous president in modern American history," Sanders said. 

Please follow Aaron Kershaw on Twitter at @polygraphtics