A senior Democrat senator has told Bernie Sanders he must recognise that "sometimes you just have to give up" ahead of crucial primaries in California and New Jersey next week.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Mr Sanders should not carry his presidential campaign through to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
He said the Vermont Senator should realise that "math is math" after the primaries next week, where Hillary Clinton is expected to win enough delegates to effectively clinch the nomination.
He said: "I've never been too good at math but I can figure that one out.
"I think he better do a little mathing."
Mr Reid, who has endorsed Mrs Clinton, said Mr Sanders has a right to continue his campaign through to the convention, but added: "I don't think he should. I don't know what that's going to prove.
"Sometimes you just have to give up. I've lost before. The numbers aren't there."
Mr Sanders has disputed suggestions that his rival will be able to effectively claim the nomination after California and New Jersey.
He has said he hopes he can win in California and change the minds of some superdelegates - party leaders selected by Democratic officials instead of voters - who are currently backing Mrs Clinton.
It comes as Mrs Clinton is set to launch a major foreign policy attack on presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in a speech in San Diego on Thursday.
The former US Secretary of State will look to highlight her experience in foreign policy against Mr Trump.
Jake Sullivan, a foreign policy adviser to Mrs Clinton, said: "She is going to make clear why Donald Trump is simply unqualified to be commander-in-chief."
Mrs Clinton has stepped up attacks on the real estate tycoon in the last few weeks after he passed the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination.
On Wednesday, it emerged she had been in contact with Mr Sanders in an attempt to unify the Democratic party and to prevent Mr Trump from winning the presidential election on 8 November.
Mrs Clinton currently has 1,769 delegates, compared to Mr Sanders' 1,501. Candidates require 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Mr Sanders should not carry his presidential campaign through to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
He said the Vermont Senator should realise that "math is math" after the primaries next week, where Hillary Clinton is expected to win enough delegates to effectively clinch the nomination.
He said: "I've never been too good at math but I can figure that one out.
"I think he better do a little mathing."
Mr Reid, who has endorsed Mrs Clinton, said Mr Sanders has a right to continue his campaign through to the convention, but added: "I don't think he should. I don't know what that's going to prove.
"Sometimes you just have to give up. I've lost before. The numbers aren't there."
Mr Sanders has disputed suggestions that his rival will be able to effectively claim the nomination after California and New Jersey.
He has said he hopes he can win in California and change the minds of some superdelegates - party leaders selected by Democratic officials instead of voters - who are currently backing Mrs Clinton.
It comes as Mrs Clinton is set to launch a major foreign policy attack on presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in a speech in San Diego on Thursday.
The former US Secretary of State will look to highlight her experience in foreign policy against Mr Trump.
Jake Sullivan, a foreign policy adviser to Mrs Clinton, said: "She is going to make clear why Donald Trump is simply unqualified to be commander-in-chief."
Mrs Clinton has stepped up attacks on the real estate tycoon in the last few weeks after he passed the 1,237 delegates needed to win the Republican nomination.
On Wednesday, it emerged she had been in contact with Mr Sanders in an attempt to unify the Democratic party and to prevent Mr Trump from winning the presidential election on 8 November.
Mrs Clinton currently has 1,769 delegates, compared to Mr Sanders' 1,501. Candidates require 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.
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