Bernie has always been the consummate outsider on the inside, and has maintained that stance for decades. I think the reason he hesitated so long about deciding whether to run for president as a Democrat was that the decision was his Rubicon. He necessarily moved from playing the outside game to playing the inside game within the party. He's clearly been struggling to maintain some independence while maneuvering in the runup to the convention, but he's on the inside now and is feeling all the pressure the insiders can bring to bear. I don't think he's a sell-out: I think he's caught in the trap he knew he was stepping into, and accepted for the chance to effect change in politics.

The political revolution has to move beyond Bernie now. He's no longer leading it, not if he endorses Clinton. He's given us a vision of a different and better politics, and how powerful it can be. It's up to us to further that vision now. I'll always be grateful to Bernie for what he's done, but I still won't vote for Hillary no matter what he's forced to say.

many people knew the deal with Bernie well before he decided to run. I read numerous articles pre-2015 that pointed out Bernie was not what most of his supporters gave him credit for, from people with first hand experience. Tried pointing that out many times but like with Obama, those caught up in the game wouldn't hear of it. Pointed out he'd voted with the dems 96% of his time in the Senate. Pointed out he was an imperialist and a capitalist. I actually did a lot of research on Bernie and remember being dismayed at things I'd bring up to his supporters they did not know about. Tried pointing out his "political revolution" was nothing more than "more and better democrats.
We've got major problems in this country, first and foremost we don't live in a democracy. We're being ruled. Bernie Sanders was never our last bestest greatest hope to solve that. That can only come if people really want it. Voting for politicians doesn't do that.

If dems don't retake the senate.

And Gaius Publius has a post up over at down with tyranny reporting polls that Hillary is an anvil instead of coat tails to down ticket dems.

if he has morphed into one of "dem", who gives a flying in-out?

with their own spin.

We have to remember that.

Sandino is right about the 'morale' thing, and that's kind of what I was trying to say earlier. While this subject is absolutely fair game for discussion, the presentation and attitude are part and parcel of this story (just as it is any other). But the sheer repetition of Bad can be very counterproductive. An endless parade of posts, where every single solitary utterance about this matter by ANY American media source signifies The End of the guy's work, is demoralizing.

These declarations or "answered questions" or whatever it is in a moment becoming Quelle Horreurs can turn into just another habitual ritual in the right atmosphere. It takes little time for them to multiply, as that shit is quite catchy. So again, I wish that we can please, please dial it back some?

is wrong/a lie. And yet she does it, again and again and again................................

I'm with you on having gastro problems when it comes to this awful couple.

does not end the path to where you want to go. It only changes that path as well as the timeline. I do strongly think (I refuse to use believe because believe is possible with or without supporting evidence) he will continue to change American politics. He already has for millions. I think there is a strong probability his political revolution will continue. The form and the trajectory of it will necessarily be different but until the malignant parts of the system that don't work for the vast majority of us change there will always be energy to drive it.

The missed opportunity I refer to is choosing to run on a third party ticket since the fight to run as a Democrat is almost certainly lost. That Bernie disagrees with me is evident. He has chosen to use his accomplishments this primary season to continue building a movement. The missed opportunity is the go for broke one which is a long shot at best that poses risks to the movement. He chose otherwise although it is still possible he could go for it. I defer to his judgement. His read of the situation is vastly superior to mine. His lifetime of experience easily trumps my opinion with nothing comparable to back it up. That is why I will enthusiastically continue to follow his lead, helping where I can.

The "I will not fall in." could and probably should have included the additional word line. I won't "fall in" as a soldier falls in to a formation. That is I refuse to vote for HRC under any circumstance including Bernie asking us to do so.

I really like your teacher-student metaphor. It is spot on. I do think that is exactly the path he has chosen by not running as a third party candidate. I think it unwise to underestimate Bernie but I doubt he will take another swing at the presidency in 2020. Age will be a factor for the voters if not the candidate. Building the movement is more important than Bernie or any one of us as individuals. He obviously accepts that he will not be the leader for long. Someone will step forward to lead it when he is no longer able. So, yeah, it is up to us as you point out.