I'm sure that Bernie didn't want to become a sheepdog pushing progressives into one of the most neoliberal candidates in history, but that is what his candidacy amounted to, for a second time. His greatest fear was becoming a spoiler for both moderates and progressives by splitting the party.

His ability to push policy, or a President, to the left from his Senate position is entirely dependent upon his willingness to lose ground, which establishment Dems, like Manchin, have no issue with. However, he will always cave to neoliberals, as he has shown us more often than we need to get the point.

I'm sure he didn't mean to drive progressive policies into the background where unicorns live, but that is what he did. He should be rejected as a champion of progressives outright before he proves himself, beyond doubt, of being a poser.