Supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders waited in line for hours in downtown Baltimore Saturday morning to attend his rally at the Royal Farms Arena. Even facing a tough delegate deficit Sanders said he's not bowing out of the presidential race, and that could have everything to do with his support base. Sanders said it's about doing a better job of getting the campaign's message out in Maryland.

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Supporters of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders waited in line for hours in downtown Baltimore Saturday morning to attend the Democratic presidential candidate's rally at the Royal Farms Arena.Even facing a tough delegate deficit Sanders said he's not bowing out of the presidential race, and that could have everything to do with his support base.Sanders said it's about doing a better job of getting the campaign's message out in Maryland."We need real change in America to give hope to those today that don't have that hope," Sanders told 11 News.About the city of Baltimore, Sanders reflected on when he was in the city in December."When I look at the reality of Baltimore, the crime rate, the unemployment rate, the poverty rate, the housing crisis, it is clear that, not just in Baltimore but in inner cities across this country, we need massive investment. We need to put young people to work," Sanders said.Months later, Sanders returned to Baltimore to loud chants of his name but still behind in the polls. A recent NBC/Marist poll shows Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton with a 22-point lead in Maryland. Dr. Mileah Kromer, director of the Goucher Poll, said it's a lead that will most likely stick.In the overall primary race, Kromer said it's almost mathematically impossible for Sanders to win. Despite that, Sanders said it's not over."We do think we have a narrow path to victory, but most importantly, it is absolutely imperative that the American people stand up and have a chance to vote for real change in this country," Sanders said.Regardless he has a choice to face."On one hand, he can crash and bring Hillary (Clinton) down with him, so damaging her and perhaps damaging her for the general election. On the other hand, he can leave her with the enthusiastic base of young voters who can perhaps rally behind her in the general election," Kromer said.Kromer pointed to the success Sanders has had with younger voters and that he may be inspiring the next generation of voters for the Democratic Party. In Maryland, according to the most recent data from the State Board of Elections, voters 24 and younger make up just under 10 percent of the entire voting base.Get the WBAL-TV News App