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The self-described Democratic Socialist indicated that the math needed to net the nomination looks difficult.

\"Last night, obviously was not a good night for our campaign from a delegate point of view,\" he said. \"We lost in the largest state up for grabs yesterday, the state of Michigan. We lost in Mississippi, Missouri, and Idaho.\"

On Tuesday night, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent Sanders surrogate and member of the \"Squad\", took to Instagram Live to react to the night's primary results. She acknowledged how difficult the evening was for Sanders and for the progressive revolution he seeks to inspire.

\"You know, there’s no sugar coating it – tonight’s a tough night,\" she said. \"Tonight’s a tough night for the movement overall.\"

But as he and his supporters acknowledge those losses, Sanders also issued a stern warning to the Democratic establishment.

\"PHOTO:
Scott Olson/Getty Images, FILE
PHOTO: Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders greets supporters as he leaves a campaign rally in Grant Park, March 7, 2020 in Chicago.
>

\"You cannot simply be satisfied by winning the votes of people who are older. While our campaign has won the ideological debate, we are losing the debate over electability. I cannot tell you how many people our campaign has spoken to who have said -- and I quote -- 'I like what your campaign stands for. I agree with what your campaign stands for. But I'm going to vote for Joe Biden because I think Joe is the best candidate to defeat Donald Trump.' End of quote,\" he said. \"We have heard that statement all over this country. Needless to say, I strongly disagree with that assertion, but that is what millions of Democrats and independents today believe.\"

Sanders, whose strategy relied heavily on turnout, ultimately lost in Michigan, a delegate-rich state he took in 2016. Exit poll data showed that 60% of those polled in Missouri, 51% in same-day voter results in Michigan and 46% in preliminary data from Washington picked Biden as more trusted to handle a crisis.

Fifty-seven to 66% also saw him as better able to defeat Donald Trump, cementing the claim to perceived electability that lifted Biden on Super Tuesday.

Sanders himself during the start and end of his remarks on Wednesday stressed that beating Trump is the ultimate and most important goal for Democrats and those who seek a change in the Oval Office.

\"Donald Trump must be defeated, and I will do everything in my power to make that happen,\" Sanders said. \"On Sunday night, in the first one-on-one debate of this campaign, the American people will have the opportunity to see which candidate is best positioned to accomplish that goal. \"

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