As the delegate totals rolled in and Bernie had his victory speech in Vermont, he had a very telling line.
“This campaign is not just about electing a president,”
Later his campaign manager, echoed this refrain by saying:
“You know, I think our supporters are enthusiastic about Bernie and his message, not enthusiastic about his delegate totals,”
These quotes both point toward the same conclusion. The Sanders campaign recognizes that the path forward to the White House is very steep, perhaps impossible. Despite that, the Sanders campaign is ready to fight for something more than electing a president. What could that be? To this Democrat, the ideal scenario would be that they could build the infrastructure of a lasting movement within the progressive community in the United States. A movement that organized small donors to compete against big donors. A movement to push political conversation to the left. A movement that just might help other progressive politicians get elected to other seats in the future. A movement that is bigger than just Bernie Sanders. Can they do it? It will depend on the voters he has mobilized. If they can see beyond Bernie, and attach themselves to the causes he supports rather than the individual running for President.
Win or lose this nomination, it appears to me that they are in this for the long haul.