Sanders leaves door open to being Clinton’s VP

Tom LoBianco
By Tom LoBianco, CNN
Updated 6:55 PM EDT, Fri May 6, 2016
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Story highlights

It is impossible for Sanders to win enough pledged delegates in the remaining contests to become the Democratic nominee

"I will continue to run an issue-oriented campaign," Sanders said

Washington CNN  — 

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Friday he plans to keep fighting for the Democratic nomination all the way to the convention in Philadelphia, but did not slam the door shut on possibly joining Hillary Clinton’s ticket.

Asked by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer if he would accept a hypothetical offer to be Clinton’s running mate, Sanders said he would talk about it with her after the convention.

US Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Chicago in March 2019. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, is the longest-serving independent in the history of Congress.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Nam Y. Huh/AP
US Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Chicago in March 2019. Sanders, an independent from Vermont, is the longest-serving independent in the history of Congress.
Sanders, right, leads a sit-in organized by the Congress of Racial Equality in 1962. The demonstration was staged to oppose housing segregation at the University of Chicago. It was Chicago's first civil rights sit-in.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Danny Lyon/Magnum Photos
Sanders, right, leads a sit-in organized by the Congress of Racial Equality in 1962. The demonstration was staged to oppose housing segregation at the University of Chicago. It was Chicago's first civil rights sit-in.
Sanders takes the oath of office to become the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in 1981. He ran as an independent and won the race by 10 votes.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Donna Light/AP
Sanders takes the oath of office to become the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in 1981. He ran as an independent and won the race by 10 votes.
Sanders, right, tosses a baseball before a minor-league game in Vermont in 1984. US Sen. Patrick Leahy, center, was also on hand.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Toby Talbot/AP
Sanders, right, tosses a baseball before a minor-league game in Vermont in 1984. US Sen. Patrick Leahy, center, was also on hand.
In 1987, Sanders and a group of Vermont musicians recorded a spoken-word folk album. "We Shall Overcome" was first released as a cassette that sold about 600 copies. When Sanders entered the US presidential race in 2015, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/05/media/bernie-sanders-folk-album-we-shall-overcome/" target="_blank">the album surged in online sales.</a> But at a CNN town hall, Sanders said, "It's the worst album ever recorded."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Toby Talbot/AP
In 1987, Sanders and a group of Vermont musicians recorded a spoken-word folk album. "We Shall Overcome" was first released as a cassette that sold about 600 copies. When Sanders entered the US presidential race in 2015, the album surged in online sales. But at a CNN town hall, Sanders said, "It's the worst album ever recorded."
Sanders reads mail at his campaign office in Burlington in 1990. He was running for the US House of Representatives after an unsuccessful bid in 1988.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
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Sanders reads mail at his campaign office in Burlington in 1990. He was running for the US House of Representatives after an unsuccessful bid in 1988.
In 1990, Sanders defeated US Rep. Peter Smith in the race for Vermont's lone House seat. He won by 16 percentage points.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Rob Swanson/AP
In 1990, Sanders defeated US Rep. Peter Smith in the race for Vermont's lone House seat. He won by 16 percentage points.
Sanders sits next to President Bill Clinton in 1993 before the Congressional Progressive Caucus held a meeting at the White House. Sanders co-founded the caucus in 1991 and served as its first chairman.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Marcy Nighswander/AP
Sanders sits next to President Bill Clinton in 1993 before the Congressional Progressive Caucus held a meeting at the White House. Sanders co-founded the caucus in 1991 and served as its first chairman.
Barack Obama, then a US senator, endorses Sanders' Senate bid at a rally in Burlington in 2006.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
TOBY TALBOT/AP
Barack Obama, then a US senator, endorses Sanders' Senate bid at a rally in Burlington in 2006.
Sanders takes part in a swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol in January 2007. He won his Senate seat with 65% of the vote.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
David Scull/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Sanders takes part in a swearing-in ceremony at the US Capitol in January 2007. He won his Senate seat with 65% of the vote.
Sanders chats with Dr. John Matthew, director of The Health Center in Plainfield, Vermont, in May 2007. Sanders was in Plainfield to celebrate a new source of federal funding for The Health Center.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Toby Talbot/AP
Sanders chats with Dr. John Matthew, director of The Health Center in Plainfield, Vermont, in May 2007. Sanders was in Plainfield to celebrate a new source of federal funding for The Health Center.
Sanders speaks to reporters in 2010 about the Obama administration's push to extend Bush-era tax cuts. Three days later, Sanders held a filibuster against the reinstatement of the tax cuts. His speech, which lasted more than eight hours, was published in book form in 2011. It is called "The Speech: A Historic Filibuster on Corporate Greed and the Decline of Our Middle Class."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Sanders speaks to reporters in 2010 about the Obama administration's push to extend Bush-era tax cuts. Three days later, Sanders held a filibuster against the reinstatement of the tax cuts. His speech, which lasted more than eight hours, was published in book form in 2011. It is called "The Speech: A Historic Filibuster on Corporate Greed and the Decline of Our Middle Class."
Sanders and US Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, walk to a news conference on Capitol Hill in 2014. Sanders was chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Sanders and US Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, walk to a news conference on Capitol Hill in 2014. Sanders was chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
In March 2015, Sanders speaks in front of letters and petitions asking Congress to reject proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/AP
In March 2015, Sanders speaks in front of letters and petitions asking Congress to reject proposed cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
In July 2015, two months after announcing he would be seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for President, Sanders <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/01/politics/bernie-sanders-crowds-wisconsin-2016/index.html" target="_blank">spoke to nearly 10,000 supporters</a> in Madison, Wisconsin. "Tonight we have made a little bit of history," he said. "You may know that some 25 candidates are running for President of the United States, but tonight we have more people at a meeting for a candidate for President of the United States than any other candidate has."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg/Getty Images
In July 2015, two months after announcing he would be seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for President, Sanders spoke to nearly 10,000 supporters in Madison, Wisconsin. "Tonight we have made a little bit of history," he said. "You may know that some 25 candidates are running for President of the United States, but tonight we have more people at a meeting for a candidate for President of the United States than any other candidate has."
Seconds after Sanders took the stage for a campaign rally in August 2015, a dozen protesters from Seattle's Black Lives Matter chapter <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/08/politics/bernie-sanders-black-lives-matter-protesters/index.html" target="_blank">jumped barricades and grabbed the microphone</a> from the senator. Holding a banner that said "Smash Racism," two of the protesters -- Marissa Johnson, left, and Mara Jacqueline Willaford -- began to address the crowd.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Elaine Thompson/AP
Seconds after Sanders took the stage for a campaign rally in August 2015, a dozen protesters from Seattle's Black Lives Matter chapter jumped barricades and grabbed the microphone from the senator. Holding a banner that said "Smash Racism," two of the protesters -- Marissa Johnson, left, and Mara Jacqueline Willaford -- began to address the crowd.
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/13/politics/gallery/democratic-debate-las-vegas/index.html" target="_blank">Sanders shakes hands with Hillary Clinton</a> at a Democratic debate in Las Vegas in October 2015. The hand shake came after Sanders' take on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/03/politics/hillary-clinton-email-controversy-explained-2016/index.html" target="_blank">the Clinton email scandal.</a> "Let me say something that may not be great politics, but the secretary is right -- and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about the damn emails," Sanders said. "Enough of the emails, let's talk about the real issues facing the United States of America."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Lucy Nicholson/Reuters
Sanders shakes hands with Hillary Clinton at a Democratic debate in Las Vegas in October 2015. The hand shake came after Sanders' take on the Clinton email scandal. "Let me say something that may not be great politics, but the secretary is right -- and that is that the American people are sick and tired of hearing about the damn emails," Sanders said. "Enough of the emails, let's talk about the real issues facing the United States of America."
Sanders embraces Remaz Abdelgader, a Muslim student, during an October 2015 event at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Asked what he would do about Islamophobia in the United States, Sanders said he was determined to fight racism and "build a nation in which we all stand together as one people."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Sanders embraces Remaz Abdelgader, a Muslim student, during an October 2015 event at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Asked what he would do about Islamophobia in the United States, Sanders said he was determined to fight racism and "build a nation in which we all stand together as one people."
Sanders waves while walking in a Veterans Day parade in Lebanon, New Hampshire, in November 2015.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS/Newscom
Sanders waves while walking in a Veterans Day parade in Lebanon, New Hampshire, in November 2015.
Sanders sits with rapper and activist Killer Mike at the Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta in November 2015. That evening, Killer Mike <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/24/politics/bernie-sanders-killer-mike/index.html" target="_blank">introduced Sanders at a campaign event</a> in the city. "I'm talking about a revolutionary," the rapper told supporters. "In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that Sen. Bernie Sanders is the right man to lead this country."
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
David Goldman/AP
Sanders sits with rapper and activist Killer Mike at the Busy Bee Cafe in Atlanta in November 2015. That evening, Killer Mike introduced Sanders at a campaign event in the city. "I'm talking about a revolutionary," the rapper told supporters. "In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that Sen. Bernie Sanders is the right man to lead this country."
Comedian Larry David and Sanders <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/07/media/bernie-sanders-larry-david-saturday-night-lvie/" target="_blank">appear together on "Saturday Night Live"</a> in February 2016. David had played Sanders in a series of sketches throughout the campaign season.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Comedian Larry David and Sanders appear together on "Saturday Night Live" in February 2016. David had played Sanders in a series of sketches throughout the campaign season.
Sanders and his wife, Jane, wave to the crowd during a primary night rally in Concord, New Hampshire, in February 2016. Sanders defeated Clinton in the New Hampshire primary with 60% of the vote, becoming <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/04/politics/bernie-sanders-jewish-new-hampshire-primary/index.html" target="_blank">the first Jewish candidate to win a presidential primary.</a>
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
John Minchillo/AP
Sanders and his wife, Jane, wave to the crowd during a primary night rally in Concord, New Hampshire, in February 2016. Sanders defeated Clinton in the New Hampshire primary with 60% of the vote, becoming the first Jewish candidate to win a presidential primary.
Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in March 2016. He <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/08/politics/primary-results-highlights/" target="_blank">won the state's primary</a> the next day, an upset that delivered a sharp blow to Clinton's hopes of quickly securing the nomination.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
JIM YOUNG/REUTERS/Newscom
Sanders speaks at a campaign rally in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in March 2016. He won the state's primary the next day, an upset that delivered a sharp blow to Clinton's hopes of quickly securing the nomination.
Sanders speaks at a campaign event in New York's Washington Square Park in April 2016.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
D Dipasupil/WireImage/Getty Images
Sanders speaks at a campaign event in New York's Washington Square Park in April 2016.
Sanders speaks at a rally in Santa Monica, California, in June 2016. He pledged to stay in the Democratic race even though Clinton secured the delegates she needed to become the presumptive nominee.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
John Locher/AP
Sanders speaks at a rally in Santa Monica, California, in June 2016. He pledged to stay in the Democratic race even though Clinton secured the delegates she needed to become the presumptive nominee.
Sanders <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders/" target="_blank">endorses</a> Clinton at a rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in July 2016.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images
Sanders endorses Clinton at a rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in July 2016.
Sanders <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/25/politics/bernie-sanders-democratic-national-convention-speech/" target="_blank">addresses delegates</a> on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in July 2016.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Anthony Behar/SIPA/AP
Sanders addresses delegates on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in July 2016.
Sanders <a href="http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/01/05/bernie-sanders-trump-tweet-poster-senate-sot.cnn" target="_blank">brings a giant printout of one of Donald Trump's tweets</a> to a Senate debate in January 2017. In the tweet, Trump had promised not to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Senate TV
Sanders brings a giant printout of one of Donald Trump's tweets to a Senate debate in January 2017. In the tweet, Trump had promised not to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Sanders thanks supporters after winning re-election to the Senate in November 2018.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Charles Krupa/AP
Sanders thanks supporters after winning re-election to the Senate in November 2018.
Sanders looks at his notes as he watches President Trump deliver the State of the Union address in February 2019. That month, Sanders announced that he would be running for president again.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Sanders looks at his notes as he watches President Trump deliver the State of the Union address in February 2019. That month, Sanders announced that he would be running for president again.
Sanders hugs a young supporter during a campaign rally in Los Angeles in March 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Sanders hugs a young supporter during a campaign rally in Los Angeles in March 2019.
Sanders addresses the audience at a CNN town hall in Washington in April 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
David Holloway for CNN
Sanders addresses the audience at a CNN town hall in Washington in April 2019.
Sanders speaks next to former Vice President Joe Biden at the first Democratic debates in June 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Sanders speaks next to former Vice President Joe Biden at the first Democratic debates in June 2019.
Sanders raises his fist as he holds a rally in Santa Monica, California, in July 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Sanders raises his fist as he holds a rally in Santa Monica, California, in July 2019.
Sanders grabs the hand of US Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the Democratic debates in Detroit in July 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Mark Peterson/Redux for CNN
Sanders grabs the hand of US Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the Democratic debates in Detroit in July 2019.
Sanders campaigns at the University of New Hampshire in September 2019. A few days later, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/02/politics/bernie-sanders-artery-blockage-2020/index.html" target="_blank">he took himself off the campaign trail</a> after doctors treated a blockage in one of his arteries. Sanders suffered a heart attack, his campaign confirmed.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Preston Ehrler/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images
Sanders campaigns at the University of New Hampshire in September 2019. A few days later, he took himself off the campaign trail after doctors treated a blockage in one of his arteries. Sanders suffered a heart attack, his campaign confirmed.
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduces Sanders at a New York rally after endorsing him for president in October 2019.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Mary Altaffer/AP
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduces Sanders at a New York rally after endorsing him for president in October 2019.
In a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/15/politics/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-debate-audio/index.html" target="_blank">tense and dramatic exchange</a> moments after a Democratic debate, Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television. Sanders responded that it was Warren who called him a liar. Earlier in the debate, the two disagreed on whether Sanders told Warren, during a private dinner in 2018, that he didn't believe a woman could win the presidency.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Victor J. Blue for CNN
In a tense and dramatic exchange moments after a Democratic debate, Warren accused Sanders of calling her a liar on national television. Sanders responded that it was Warren who called him a liar. Earlier in the debate, the two disagreed on whether Sanders told Warren, during a private dinner in 2018, that he didn't believe a woman could win the presidency.
Sanders laughs during a primary-night rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, in February 2020. Sanders won <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/09/politics/gallery/new-hampshire-primary-2020/index.html" target="_blank">the primary,</a> just as he did in 2016.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Matt Rourke/AP
Sanders laughs during a primary-night rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, in February 2020. Sanders won the primary, just as he did in 2016.
A triumphant Sanders raises his fist in San Antonio after he was projected to win <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/02/21/politics/gallery/nevada-caucuses/index.html" target="_blank">the Nevada caucuses.</a>
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Eric Gay/AP
A triumphant Sanders raises his fist in San Antonio after he was projected to win the Nevada caucuses.
Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden talk before a Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina, in February 2020.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Matt Rourke/AP
Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden talk before a Democratic debate in Charleston, South Carolina, in February 2020.
Sanders addresses supporters during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in March 2020.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images
Sanders addresses supporters during a campaign rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in March 2020.
Sanders speaks to reporters in Burlington, Vermont, a day after <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/politics/gallery/super-tuesday-ii-primaries-2020/index.html" target="_blank">Super Tuesday II.</a> Sanders said it "was not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view" but that he looked forward to staying in the race and taking on Joe Biden in an upcoming debate.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Charles Krupa/AP
Sanders speaks to reporters in Burlington, Vermont, a day after Super Tuesday II. Sanders said it "was not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view" but that he looked forward to staying in the race and taking on Joe Biden in an upcoming debate.
Biden greets Sanders with an elbow bump before the start of a debate in Washington in March 2020. They went with an elbow bump instead of a handshake because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Photos: Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders
Sarah Silbiger for CNN
Biden greets Sanders with an elbow bump before the start of a debate in Washington in March 2020. They went with an elbow bump instead of a handshake because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Right now, we are focused on the next five weeks of winning the Democratic nomination. If that does not happen, we are going to fight as hard as we can on the floor of the Democratic convention to make sure that we have a progressive platform that the American people will support,” Sanders said on “The Situation Room.” “Then, after that, certainly Secretary Clinton and I can talk and see where we go from there.”

READ: Lindsey Graham: No Clinton, no Trump

It is impossible for Sanders to win enough pledged delegates in the remaining contests to secure the Democratic nomination, but it remains possible, if unlikely, that Clinton might not win the 2,383 delegates needed for the nomination either, which would set up a potential convention battle in Philadelphia.

“We’re going to be in this until the last ballot is cast,” Sanders said Friday. Clinton’s delegate lead relies in part on the help of more than 500 super delegates – state party officials and other elected Democrats who can vote for whoever they want – who support her.

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty Images
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What 2012's electoral map shows us about 2016

The Clinton campaign and her supporters have struggled to find a successful strategy for pushing Sanders out of the race. Clinton appeared to be gaining momentum after a series of routs in the northeast, including a blowout victory in New York.

But Sanders won an upset victory over her in Indiana last Tuesday.

Most recently, Clinton told CNN’s Anderson Cooper she respects Sanders’ decision to finish out the contests.

“I know there are some contests ahead and I respect Sen. Sanders and whatever choices he’s making. And I have a lot of empathy about this, Anderson. You know, I ran to the very end in 2008,” she said this week.

READ: Trump: Hillary Clinton a ‘nasty, mean enabler’

Asked if he would focus his fire on Donald Trump, with the hopes of helping whoever the Democratic nominee is, Sanders said he would focus on both of them.

“I will continue to run an issue-oriented campaign,” Sanders said. “Will I be taking on Donald Trump? Absolutely. Will I be discussing the differences of opinion Secretary Clinton and I have? Yes I will.”

Trump tweeted Friday that “Crooked Hillary has ZERO leadership ability. As Bernie Sanders says, she has bad judgement. Constantly playing the women’s card - it is sad!”

But Sanders said that was something he never said.

“You read that tweet, that is nothing that I have ever said about Hillary Clinton,” he told Blitzer.

READ: Ex-Mexican President trolls Trump