Sanders Aides Not Expecting Campaign Suspension Tuesday

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WASHINGTON — (CNN) Bernie Sanders is not poised to suspend his campaign or immediately endorse presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton after their meeting Tuesday night, but he intends to keep his pledge to help defeat Donald Trump, two people close to Sanders told CNN.
Tuesday marks the final primary contest as Democrats in Washington, D.C., vote.
The Democratic candidates are planning to meet Tuesday night, and a person close to Sanders said, “It should be amicable and hopefully constructive.”
Sanders “respects” Clinton, aides told CNN, and plans to renew his pledge to help defeat presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.
But Sanders is expected to “put his cards on the table” and push for progressive policy positions to be included in the fall campaign and in the party’s platform.
Clinton enters the meeting hoping Sanders will help her, particularly among white working class voters and young voters.
Sanders believes his collecting 1,850 delegates after winning 23 states is significant leverage for his views.
Clinton intends to listen “respectfully” to Sanders and his call to influence the platform, sources said.
The Clinton campaign is less concerned about platform right now than neutralizing any “unnecessary opposition” that could distract from defeating Trump.
A person close to Sanders’ campaign told CNN Tuesday afternoon Sanders will likely ask for a roll call vote at the Democratic convention.
Clinton herself received a roll call vote in 2008, and when that vote concluded and her delegates had their say, Clinton formally placed Obama’s name in nomination.
A similar situation could unfold in Philadelphia if the Clinton campaign agrees to it.
A roll call vote allows Sanders’ delegates to register their views before going onto the main vote for Clinton.
Sanders arrived to applause from fellow senators Tuesday at their weekly Democratic policy lunch in the Capitol.
He was later welcomed back to the Senate with a standing ovation, Delaware Democratic Sen. Chris Coons told CNN.
“Think it was a very constructive chance for the caucus to welcome Sen. Sanders back.
He got a standing ovation. Spoke movingly and passionately about the millions of people he’s connected with,” Coons said.
Sanders is set to speak at a 3 p.m. ET news conference.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

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