NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP)– Donald Trump said he has no intention of attacking Bernie Sanders. At least, not yet.

The Republican presidential front-runner fielded a question from one of his supporters who described democratic candidate Sanders as a “socialist” with dangerous policy ideas.

Trump responded, saying he doesn’t “like to speak badly about Bernie, because I sort of want him to win so badly.” Trump said Sanders would be “so easy to hit” in a general election.

Trump said he has no worries about winning over GOP establishment figures nervous about having him as the party’s general election candidate.

Responding to a supporter’s question Friday about some GOP leaders’ concerns, Trump said his strategy is simple: They’ll back a winner.

Trump says the conventional GOP has “a structural problem” when it comes to winning the 270 electoral votes needed to capture the White House. But he says he puts into play states such as New York, Michigan and others.

He blasted GOP commentators and strategists who have warned against nominating him, singling out strategist Karl Rove and columnists George Will and Charles Krauthammer.

Trump called them “jealous” and “petty” and “bad people.” He warned the party needs “new thinking or we aren’t going to have a party anymore.”

Donald Trump has emerged as the front-runner for the GOP nomination by winning over roughly a third of Republicans in the early voting states and in preference polls.

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