Why Bernie Sanders’ Tone Matters

If you only read one thing: Bernie Sanders has never been gracious in defeat. From the alleging irregularities on the night of the Iowa caucuses to refusing to condemn his supporters after a turbulent state party meeting in Nevada, Sanders has refused to accept the reality of the system he voluntarily entered into when he launched his candidacy as a Democrat. His speech late Tuesday, after losing the California primary and with it his only potential argument for remaining in the race, was similarly defiant. As he refused to accept that Hillary Clinton had become the presumptive Democratic nominee—a status conferred on her by the media Monday and by the incumbent Democratic president on Tuesday night. Sanders will meet with Obama on Thursday—at Sanders’ request, the White House was quick to add—and pledges to contest through Tuesday’s District of Columbia primary. But the question for him now is whether he will continue to drive a wedge between his supporters and the rest of the Democratic Party or will try bring the party together. The answer to that question may well determine how his candidacy is viewed for generations to come.

Hillary Clinton marked the occasion of securing the Democratic nomination with a rousing speech in Brooklyn heavy on the historical implications of her win. The first woman to top a major party ticket, Clinton declared that there was still a glass ceiling among women, but that it would soon be shattered. She quickly began her pivot to the general election, casting the race as a battle to stop Donald Trump, who she called “temperamentally unqualified” for the White House.

Trump attempted a pivot of his own after the worst week of his campaign. Speaking with the aid of teleprompters from one of his golf courses in Westchester, he sought to turn the page after his comments about an Indiana-born federal judge of Mexican descent were branded “racist” by members of his own party—including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Trump’s sober address contrasted with the boisterous affairs at his campaign rallies, and featured a promise to never embarrass his supporters. The new tone was the brainchild of campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has pushed for a change for weeks. But it remains to be seen how long Trump can keep it up. He promised to deliver a speech attacking Clinton on Monday.

Both Clinton and Trump are set to hit the campaign trail in the coming days to kickstart the general election campaign. Clinton will visit Ohio and Pennsylvania next week, while Trump is to visit New Hampshire, Florida, and Virginia—with more stops set to be added.

How Donald Trump is helping President Barack Obama‘s foreign policy. Clinton says her nomination will “send a signal” around the world. And Bernie plans layoffs.

Here are your must-reads:

Must Reads

Hillary Clinton Claims Victory in Democratic Primary
Makes history as she prepares for the general election [TIME]

Chastened Donald Trump Tries to Hit the Reset Button on a Bad Week
Promising to make supporters “proud,” Trump adjusts his tone—but for how long [TIME]

Inside the Bitter Last Days of Bernie’s Revolution
For better and for worse, Sanders made all the big decisions [Politico]

Donald Trump Is Getting a Late Start to Fundraising
A Republican insider calls the candidate’s disadvantage ‘huge and not widely understood’ [Wall Street Journal]

Narendra Modi Bolsters India’s Ties With U.S., Thanks (Partly) to Donald Trump
Fear of potential successor drives urge to work with current president [New York Times]

Sound Off

“I am not going to defend these kind of comments because they are indefensible. Claiming a person can’t do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment.” — Speaker of the House Paul Ryan on Trump’s comments about Judge Curiel

“It is, of course, symbolic, but symbols mean something, and symbols can often can spark hope and action in people, particularly young people. I think it will be a real milestone with my nomination for our country, but it will also send a signal around the world.” — Clinton to ABC on her nomination

Bits and Bites

Mitch McConnell: It’s Time for Donald Trump to Stop Attacking Minority Groups [TIME]

Paul Ryan: Donald Trump’s Comments Are ‘Textbook Definition of a Racist Comment’ [TIME]

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk Retracts Donald Trump Endorsement [TIME]

Donald Trump Says Comments About Judge Were ‘Misconstrued’ [TIME]

New Jersey Republicans Play Defense over Donald Trump on Primary Day [TIME]

The Problematic History Behind One of Donald Trump’s Favorite Ideas: Tariffs [TIME]

Florida AG Asked Donald Trump for Donation Before Nixing Fraud Case [TIME]

Hillary Clinton: Becoming Presumptive Democratic Nominee Will ‘Send a Signal Around the World’ [ABC]

Clinton to Meet With Top Fundraisers in D.C. on Friday [Politico]

Bernie Sanders Is Said to Plan Large Layoff From Campaign Staff [New York Times]