washington democratic presidential candidate bernie sanders respond report president barack obama call democrats rally around hillary clinton likely nominee say thursday absurd suggest drop race obama privately tell group democratic donors last friday sanders near point campaign clinton would end party must soon come together back new york time report sanders vermont senator self-proclaimed democratic socialist say want comment directly obama report remark push back idea campaign run course throw towel bottom line half american people participate political process ... think absurd anybody suggest people right cast vote sanders tell msnbc interview white house thursday say obama indicate candidate prefer remark donors clinton former secretary state obama administration large lead race democratic nomination five state contest tuesday sanders say good upcoming contest western state lose clinton number southeastern state suggest fight end would think bad mistake people want become engage political process vigorous primary caucus process think open possibility large voter turnout november exactly need sanders say low voter turnout somebody like trump win high voter turnout democratic candidate win say refer donald trump front-runner race pick republican nominee november presidential election sanders call notion quit democratic race 'absurd