Pressure mounts on Sanders to drop out of Democratic presidential race 

Pressure is building on Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders to give up his fight for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Hillary Clinton has been declared the presumptive Democratic nominee after winning four out of six primaries on Tuesday.

Mr. Sanders has virtually no path to the nomination but has vowed to fight on. He meets President Obama on Thursday.

Democrats have urged Mr. Sanders to join Mrs. Clinton as she tries to defeat Donald Trump.
The billionaire businessman, seen as an outsider early in the campaign, is the Republicans' presumptive nominee.

The White House meeting on Thursday came at Mr Sanders' request. He will hold a rally in Washington the same day ahead of the District of Columbia's primary on 14 June.

He has won 22 state primaries and caucuses but failed to make a significant dent in Mrs. Clinton's delegate lead, despite mounting what has been seen as an impressive campaign, influencing the Democratic debate and engaging with thousands of young voters.

Vice-President Joe Biden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and, most importantly, President Barack Obama have all begun quietly, respectfully making motions to usher Mr. Sanders from the stage.

After Mr. Obama meets Mr. Sanders on Thursday, the next step is likely a presidential endorsement of Mrs. Clinton. Trailing in the popular vote and delegates, both the pledged and super variety, Mr. Sanders may then have no choice but to acknowledge political reality.


SOURCE: BBC News