Wednesday on ABC’s “The View,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg repeatedly asked Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) why he had not dropped out of the Democratic primary to help front-runner former Vice President Joe Biden.
Goldberg asked, “I have to ask you this question now because I have been watching to see what you were going to do, and I’m told that you intend to stay in this race for president because you believe there is a path to victory. I want to know what that path is because this feels a little bit like it did when you didn’t come out when Hillary Clinton was clearly the person folks were going for. Can you explain why you’re still in the race, and what this path is that you see?”
Sanders replied, “Well, that’s not quite accurate. I worked as hard as I could for Hillary Clinton but the reason there is a path towards victory —”
Goldberg interrupted, “Just so we’re clear, you worked for Hillary, but it took you a very, very long time to hop in, and your people also, it took a very long time for them to hop in. That’s what I’m talking about.”
Sanders said, “I don’t accept that characterization.”
Goldberg said, “Okay. Why are you still in the race?”
Sanders insisted, “Last I heard, people in a democracy have a right to vote, and they have a right to vote for the agenda that they think can work for America, especially in this very, very difficult moment. We are assessing our campaign, as a matter of fact, where we want to go forward, but people in a democracy do have a right to vote. And right now, in this unprecedented moment in American history, I think we need to have a very serious discussion at how we need to go forward. And one of the things I’m working on with members of the Senate and House is a new stimulus package.”
Goldberg said, “Yes, but wouldn’t it be smart right now to continue on that path to make sure that gets done as opposed to splitting the time?”
Sanders continued, “Well, we are doing it, believe me. I’m sitting in my house right now. I’m not holding a rally in Wisconsin because of the nature of campaigns.”
Goldberg interrupted, “So your plan is to stay in, yes?”
Sanders said, “Well, for the fourth time. We are assessing the campaign.”
Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN
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