@Ironsided - I certainly think Sanders wants to change minds, but I also think he has more conviction than you give him credit for, and wants to take a path that will lead to the more immediate implementation of his policy. That's the most logical explanation for his endorsement of Clinton - that he saw it as the most pragmatic way to further his policy objectives in the short term (whereas some Sanders supporters thought it would've been better long term strategy to stay more perfectly consistent and avoid an embrace of the Democratic establishment). In the case of this election, he entered the race when e.g. Elizabeth Warren had already announced and when many of his own policies had been widely adopted by other candidates. It was unnecessary for Sanders to enter the race in order to change minds and promote his world view. Indeed, in many ways he could have exerted more influence on the party through staying out the race, leaving his potential endorsement or approval as a huge carrot for other candidates to chase. Rather, it must be the case that Sanders wishes to be the person to carry forward what he is promoting, perhaps because he thinks other Democrats like Harris & Booker can't actually be trusted to fight for things like universal healthcare. If that is so, then he cannot be terribly impressed with his own current polling. I would very much doubt his response to it would be, "well I don't want to win anyway", and if it were, then I guess it means we have already passed the point I was seeking identification of in my original post.
I also just want to clarify the 'you' you're employing in your post. I'm assuming it's a generalised plural, as for starters, I'm not American.
I also just want to clarify the 'you' you're employing in your post. I'm assuming it's a generalised plural, as for starters, I'm not American.
