ADVERTISEMENT

Weaver Won't Say If Sanders Will Support Clinton—But Says Will Support Nominee

June 16, 2016

Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver would not say that Sanders (I., Vt.) would support Hillary Clinton, but would say that he would support the Democratic nominee in an interview Thursday.

With All Due Respect host John Heilemann pointed out that Weaver said Sanders had stopped actively campaigning and is not trying to flip superdelegates. Clinton has already surpassed a number of delegates to secure the nomination.

Weaver said that they'd like to get to a place where they could support the nominee.

"The nominee is Secretary Clinton in this case," Heilemann said. "You've basically conceded. You're not trying to switch super delegate votes. You have no plans to do that.  So, you're basically saying Secretary Clinton is the presumptive nominee at this point and trying to get to the point where you can be behind her?"

Weaver dodged this assumption.

"Well, certainly she's been called the presumptive nominee by the media," he said. "That's for sure."

Heilemann paused and looked at his co-host, Alex Wagner. He then awkwardly laughed.

"I'm asking you, Jeff, are you willing to accept that?"

Weaver dodged this question again.

"I know you are."

Heilemann explained his logic one more time, using Weaver's own words previously stated in the same interview.

"I mean, you're saying he's not actively campaigning to be the Democratic nominee anymore," Heilemann said. "You're no longer doing the things that would be required to make him the nominee, i.e. flipping super delegates and you're having a set of negotiations over things that you would like her to do that are, kind of, essentially saying a price for his support. Is there anything I've said now that's untrue?"

Weaver side-stepped another straight forward question one last time before Heilemann changed the topic.

"I think it speaks for itself, John," he said.

Heilmann laughed.