Facing calls from Dems to quit, Sanders sits down with Obama

With pressure growing for him to quit the presidential race, a subdued Bernie Sanders emerged from a meeting with President Barack Obama today vowing to work with primary rival Hillary Clinton to defeat Republican Donald Trump in the general election.
But Sanders, speaking to reporters at the White House, stopped short of endorsing Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee. The president was expected to endorse her later in the day.
Sanders said he hoped to meet with Clinton soon to discuss their common goal.
"Needless to say, I am going to do everything in my power and I will work as hard as I can to make sure that Donald Trump does not become president of the United States," he said.

Sanders, standing in the White House driveway with his wife, Jane, at his side, said he planned to continue his campaign, although he strongly suggested he was largely focused on pressing key issues, not seeking victory. He said he would compete in the in Washington, DC, primary on Tuesday, but noted his interested was largely in pushing for statehood.
Sanders' remarks came after a longer-than-expected Oval Office sit-down with Obama, part of Democratic leaders intensifying effort to unite behind Clinton as the nominee of the party.

Clinton declared victory over Sanders on Tuesday, having captured the number of delegates needed to become the first female nominee from a major party.

Though Sanders has shown signs he understands the end of his race is near he was about to layoff off about half his team he has vowed to keep fighting, stoking concern among party leaders eager for the primary race to conclude.
Still looking like a candidate, Sanders planned a rally today evening in Washington, which holds the final primary contest next week.
The situation has put Obama, the outgoing leader of his party, in the sensitive position of having to broker detente between Clinton and Sanders without alienating the runner-up's supporters, many of whom are angry over what they see as the Democratic establishment's efforts to strong-arm him out of the race. Clinton is counting on Sanders' supporters backing her to defeat Trump.

Obama has been trying to give Sanders the courtesy of exiting the race on his own terms.
"It was a healthy thing for the Democratic Party to have a contested primary. I thought that Bernie Sanders brought enormous energy and new ideas," Obama said yesterday during a taped appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.