Dems to Sanders: 'Stand down'

With Clinton ascendant, Democrats worry further infighting distracts from taking on Donald Trump.
By BURGESS EVERETT and SEUNG MIN KIM 06/07/16

Sen. Barbara Mikulski and other Democratic senators are trying to turn eyes away from Bernie Sanders and to Hillary Clinton. | Getty

Democratic senators want to hear a concession speech from Bernie Sanders — soon.

Hillary Clinton’s coronation as the presumptive Democratic nominee has ratcheted up frustration with Sanders’ defiant fight for the Democratic nomination, exposing divisions when party leaders want the spotlight trained on Donald Trump's flaws. But Sanders' campaign remained unyielding after The Associated Press called the nomination for Clinton, with one top aide calling the news outlet's declaration "one of the most appalling things I’ve seen in a long time."

“He should stand down now. That’s my conclusion,” said Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida. “Democrats will come together after the convention, anyway. But it’s an unnecessary diversion at this point.”

Democrats believe they have Republicans on the ropes after Trump’s repeated allegations that a federal judge overseeing a case against Trump University can’t be impartial because of his Mexican heritage. Anything distracting from that is a wasted opportunity, they say.

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/democrats-push-bernie-sanders-drop-out-224007