Democrats trying to push Sanders aside, as Clinton takes center stage

Sanders, however, doesn’t appear to be conceding

WASHINGTON — Democrats are coalescing around Hillary Clinton’s presidential bid and looking to reunite the party through a carefully orchestrated plan aimed at nudging rival Bernie Sanders aside. 

President Barack Obama’s endorsement of Clinton headlined a day of unity for Democrats on Thursday as the party prepares for Republican Donald Trump. 

Amid the message of harmony, Sanders crisscrossed the nation’s capital and received praise in meetings with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Democratic leaders. 

At his campaign rally outside RFK Stadium, Sanders didn’t mention Clinton and didn’t repeat his calls to persuade superdelegates to support him. Nor did he talk about plans for a contested convention in Philadelphia. 

The rally came hours after Obama announced his endorsement of Clinton in an online video, while Clinton picked up the backing liberal Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. 

Sanders was greeted with cheers of “Thank you, Bernie” as he addressed about 3,000 people near RFK Stadium. He spoke of the need to address wealth inequality and the campaign finance system, but avoided mentioning Clinton. 

While Clinton is the presumptive Democratic nominee, Sanders still plans to contest next Tuesday’s final primary in the District of Columbia. 

He says, “It would be extraordinary if the people of Washington, our nation’s capital, stood up and told the world that they are ready to lead this country into a political revolution.” 

Democrats are wary that divisions that emerged between Clinton and Sanders during the primaries might spill out during next month’s Democratic National Convention.