Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is distancing himself from his former national press secretary and urging his supporters to back former Vice President Joe Biden.
Sanders was asked during an Associated Press interview about a tweeted statement Briahna Joy Gray made insisting she would not support Biden as he vies to take on President Donald Trump in November’s general election.
The Vermont senator quickly noted that Gray no longer worked for him saying, “She is my former press secretary — not on the payroll.”
He went on to describe the stance to oppose Biden as “irresponsible.” Although most candidates running for public office do have different views, they ultimately end up working together and endorsing their party’s candidate in an effort to achieve the overall goal.
Sanders noted the importance of staying involved despite his presidential campaign being over.
“I believe that it’s irresponsible for anybody to say, ‘Well, I disagree with Joe Biden — I disagree with Joe Biden! — and therefore I’m not going to be involved,'” he said.
Sanders has vowed to continue his fight to beat Trump. While Biden has opposed Sanders’ Medicare for All proposal for universal healthcare, Sanders believes Americans will see Biden make a significant progressive shift on important issues to bridge the gap between voters.
“I think you’re going to see significant movement on the part of the Biden campaign into a more progressive direction on a whole lot of issues,” he said.
Sanders also said of the remaining primaries, “If people want to vote for me, we’d appreciate it.”
The senators’ interview comes just one day after Gray’s tweet. At the time, she insisted she would not support Biden out of “utmost respect” for Sanders. She also noted Sanders’ and Biden’s differences in political views and policies.
“With the utmost respect for Bernie Sanders, who is an incredible human being [and] a genuine inspiration, I don’t endorse Joe Biden,” she wrote. “I supported Bernie Sanders because he backed ideas like [Medicare for All], canceling ALL student debt, [and] a wealth tax. Biden supports none of those.”
With the utmost respect for Bernie Sanders, who is an incredible human being & a genuine inspiration, I don't endorse Joe Biden.
— Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) April 13, 2020
I supported Bernie Sanders because he backed ideas like #MedicareForAll, cancelling ALL student debt, & a wealth tax. Biden supports none of those.
Despite Gray’s stance, Sanders went on to explain why it would not be beneficial to continue a political sparring match against Biden ahead of the election.
“What would be the sense of staying in, of spending a whole lot of money, of attacking the vice president, giving fodder for Trump — what’s the sense of doing that when you can’t win?” Sanders asked.
Despite his presidential campaign being over, Sanders vows to do what he can to ensure the success of the Democratic party.
“I will do everything I can to help elect Joe,” Sanders said, adding, “We had a contentious campaign. We disagree on issues. But my job now is to not only rally my supporters but to do everything I can to bring the party together to see that [Trump] is not elected president.”
