WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that people should “lay off” Bernie Sanders, sending a message to restive Democrats increasingly anxious to see the party unite behind Hillary Clinton.
Reid is personally close with the Vermont independent senator and presidential hopeful. Last week he disclosed that he’d spoken with Sanders to voice concerns about unruly protests by Sanders supporters at the Nevada state Democratic convention, and subsequently voiced his disappointment over a defiant statement Sanders issued in response.
On Tuesday Reid had a different message, signaling to fellow Democrats that pressuring Sanders is not the way to go.
“I’ve had conversations with Bernie, he’s a good person, he’s doing his best to effectuate what he believes in, and I have no criticism of Bernie at this stage,” Reid said.
