Acknowledging Joe Biden is too far ahead for him to any reasonable hope of catching the former U.S. vice-president, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says his White House bid is over.

Falling short of the Democratic presidential nomination a second time, the 78-year-old Sanders’ remarks made references to Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and COVID-19.

”As I see the crisis gripping the nation, exacerbated by president Trump, I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win,” he added.

After strong results in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, he saw his hopes slip away last month after a series of wins by the 77-year-old Biden, now the presumptive nominee to challenge Trump, who Sanders characterized as ”the most dangerous president in modern American history.”

Biden congratulated Sanders on the race he ran and promises to work hard to win over Sanders supporters who may be reluctant to vote for him.

The U.S. general election is scheduled for November 3.