Bill Richardson: No Need For Sanders to Drop Out Now

Sen. Bernie Sanders doesn't have to drop out of the Democratic race for president just yet – even though Hillary Clinton cemented her nomination on Tuesday, former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson says.

In an interview on "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV, the former Clinton-administration Energy Secretary said the "math" is against the Vermont lawmaker – but that doesn't negate his influence.

"Eventually yes," Richardson said of Sanders' dropping his White House bid. "It doesn't have to be right away. … I think you have to do the math."

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But, he adds, "what Sanders wants to be – and should be – is a statesman, a party leader in the future" when he returns to the Senate.

He should also have "a major role in the convention, maybe in the picking of a vice president," Richardson said.

"But eventually I think Bernie Sanders will do the right thing, will support Hillary Clinton, and he will be a major force in the party and he deserves to be."

Richardson predicts Clinton will pick up "a majority" of Sanders' supporters, but will have to fight for voters "up for grabs," including independents and "disaffected Republicans" who are concerned about Donald Trump's national security policies.

"But it is going to be important that Hillary reach out to that Sanders coalition, which is a good part of the progressive Democratic Party and it's going to take some doing… some time," he said.

"Both sides need to coalesce their supporters around Hillary Clinton," he said.

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