Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race for president making Joe Biden the presumptive nominee. Sanders announced that he trailed by more than 300 delegates and could not see a path to victory. He might not serve as president but his two campaigns have shaped the modern Democratic agenda. Much of what he advocated will probably come to fruition in the coming decades. 

For most Americans, Sanders came across as too dogmatic and uncompromising but many agree with the broader aims of his agenda. Most Democrats believe we need to expand and strengthen our social safety net, including moving toward universal health care. They acknowledge that we need job training and education that doesn’t leave people with crushing debt. They want to address the income inequality that’s left us increasingly a nation of haves and have-nots. They want to reward people more for hard work more than investment income. In a system of bargaining and compromise, though, Sanders is a better messenger than leader. 

Biden now has the task of uniting the party. According to Sanders, the two men have been talking and Sanders is urging his supporters to do all they can to defeat Trump without explicitly endorsing Biden. That moment will come later. 

In response, a lot of Sanders supporters on social media are reluctantly saying they will support Biden. As the election progresses, even more will come on board. Others, though, are insisting Biden is no better than Trump. They’re urging people to vote Green in November and join a movement that will change our politics. They’re living a pipedream. 

The most dogmatic and self-righteous Sanders supporters were never going to support any Democratic nominee besides Bernie. They’re the same people who supported Jill Stein in 2016. They supported Ralph Nader in 2000. They are people who let the perfect get in the way of the good. They would rather complain than govern. 

The left in the country loses its leverage because they don’t understand coalition politics. Instead of using their numbers to get some of what they want, they embrace losing campaigns so they can complain about being left out. They’ll bash Democrats invite conservatives who don’t like Trump into the fold, claiming the party is becoming too conservative when they’ve decided not to participate in the bargaining and negotiation that could move it to the left. 

The left also doesn’t understand the American electorate very well. Despite what polls might say, most Americans are wary of big programs. The left should talk about providing affordable health care to everyone instead of Medicare for All. They should talk about reducing pollution that is changing our environment and causes asthma and other maladies.  They should site the new jobs that come with building solar fields and windfarms instead of insisting on a Green New Deal. 

Sanders supporters should follow his lead and get behind Joe Biden. They have a young electorate that supports much of their agenda. That said, it will take time and compromise to get it enacted. A Sanders’ presidency could never get his platform through Congress in one fell swoop, but almost all of it can, and likely will, be implemented over the next 20 years. That may be too slow for some, but that’s how our system works, if it is to continue working at all.