Sanders discourages third-party votes: 'Not the time for a protest vote'

Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill's 12:30 Report In Woodrow Wilson fashion, here are 14 points for ObamaCare repeal Cruz faces ObamaCare repeal pushback during veterans event MORE on Sunday discouraged voters from picking a third-party nominee, saying the issues facing the U.S. are too dire for a "protest vote." 

"This moment in history for a presidential election is not the time for a protest vote," the Vermont senator said on CBS's "Face the Nation." 

"It's time to look at which candidate will work best for the middle class and working families." 

He said he didn't want to disparage third-party candidates, but he encouraged voters to pick Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Rodham ClintonUS and Russian diplomats share conflicting accounts of Trump-Putin meeting Podesta doubles down on Trump criticism with WaPost op-ed Tillerson: Trump pressed Putin on election interference MORE over Republican nominee Donald TrumpDonald TrumpDonald Trump Jr. shares tweet he says is 'confirmation deep state is real' Charlie Gard will likely die soon — let's learn from the battle WaPo: FBI investigated Bobby Knight groping complaints at spy agency MORE. 

Libertarian presidential nominee Gary JohnsonGary JohnsonMueller to give first speech since taking on Russia probe Poll: 85 percent of Clinton supporters would vote for her again Open primaries are the answer to America’s election woes — so what are we waiting for? MORE has hoped to benefit from record low favorability numbers for Clinton and Trump. But a RealClearPolitics polling average only gives him 8.9 percent support nationally.