Story highlights Top Democratic leaders and prominent Clinton backers say they have no issue with the Vermont independent's continued presence in the race

Sanders appears likely to have the resources to continue battling Clinton for as long as he wants to remain in the race

Washington (CNN) Bernie Sanders is threatening to take his presidential bid to the Democratic convention in July -- even if he continues to fall behind Hillary Clinton on the delegate count.

The response from Clinton's supporters in the Senate: It's OK with them.

Top Democratic leaders and prominent Clinton backers say they have no issue with the Vermont independent's continued presence in the race, even as Sanders' quest for the nomination becomes increasingly in peril. The reason: Many Democrats are alarmed at the divisive GOP primary contest and are worried that strong-arming Sanders will prompt a similar chaotic result on their side of the aisle.

Moreover, they believe, Sanders' attacks on Clinton have been relatively mild, so they are content with him staying in the race as long as he's willing to campaign -- at least for now.

"It's been positive for Hillary," Sen. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat and early Clinton supporter, said of Sanders' presence in the race. "Bernie's issue are important. The way I look at it, unlike the presidential (campaign) on the Republican side, I don't see Bernie as a negative."

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