To the Editor:

Re “Sanders, Surging, Has Democrats Jittery (Again)” (front page, April 17):

I am a Democratic activist who is not supporting Bernie Sanders to be our nominee. In fact, I don’t think he should be running; he should instead be supporting the next generation of progressive candidates supporting his agenda.

However, the Democratic Party cannot afford a concentrated Stop Bernie movement by the party establishment. This will only further increase resentment among Sanders supporters and widen the split between them and the anti-Sanders forces, making strong unity around the eventual nominee less likely. Bernie must also take steps not to open old wounds from the 2016 nomination fight so his supporters will enthusiastically support the 2020 nominee if he does not win.

The large field of Democratic candidates will be winnowed during the nomination process. A positive campaign among these hopefuls can strengthen the eventual nominee. A campaign that opens schisms in the party does the opposite.

To beat President Trump, Democrats need a strong candidate and a united party.

Laurence G. Hirsch

South Orange, N.J.