@Robby:
Yes, Bernie is in there to keep Hillary balanced, and he wasn't ever expected to do even this well. But the constant stories of him being a threat, or of "the people are being cheated of the candidate they really want!" and just constant stories pretending he still has a chance, or crying foul of massive voter fraud, aren't helpful either. He has pulled her to the side. But at this point its no longer democracy in action, its wasting people's time and energy, and keeping a lot people focused on a candidate that can not possibly make it, and leading to a huge block being pissed off at the end of it because they can't do simple math and are still pining hopes on him and will be for the next several months. Its reaching a point where they are both attacking each other. Bernie refused to go negative at the start, but IS being negative and calling her a crook and unqualified now, statements he keeps having to retract a day later. Their latest debate wasn't proof of their qualifications, it was closer to the sniping matches te Republican side is having.
Bernie is criticizing Hillary with kid gloves. He has even defended Hillary live on a debate stage where he could have easily attacked her. Yes, that wss near the beginning but even now he refuses to bring that issue up. They're competitors on the stage, it's a given they'll snipe each other and it's hardly anything as intense as the vetting process the Republicans are going through . Whatever Bernie says to Hillary (and vice versa) is also nothing in comparison to what the Republic nominee is going to be saying about the Democratic nominee (probably Hillary) when the general election comes around.
As many stories there are about Bernie's run for the White House there are stories about Hillary's run and her being the candidate with the most votes and pledged delegates. If Benie drops out now that won't stop from there being stories about, 'Bernie pressured to drop out early' or 'Why did Bernie drop out when he still could have won!?' and of course 'Voters still robbed of their real choice!'. I don't feel like it's wasting people's time and energy that he's running. I think it's still important to keep Hillary "balanced". Also, people voting for and supporting him don't feel like they're wasting their time letting their voices be heard, which is democracy in action.
How is it helpful to go for the next three months "he can still turn it around" and just have to admit crushing defeat at the end? What will that do to his currently energized base? What if it really does come down to trying to coerce the superdelegates and go against that actual popular vote like they're threatening now as his only possible strategy? When democrats are insulting each other on every board I see, and ignoring the republican problem entirely? When their positive qualities, plans, and qualifications are no longer being championed, but only their faults?
I'm doubtful he'll last 3 more months. Early June is his more likely drop out date, hell, maybe sooner than that. That's like a month and a half away seeing as April is almost over. 2 months at the most. Waiting until the end of the primary season where are the states are counted and then bowing out gracefully sends a better message to his supporters that he tried than the message bowing out 'early' sends.
His energized base will be disappointed but no matter when he drops out. There will be disappointment. Like I said, no matter what, you'll have revolters but at the same time you'll have plenty of Bernie supporters who turn out to be Hillary supporters especially after Bernie throws his support behind her. Unlike the Republican side whose candidates are questioning their word on whether or not to support the nominee.
It won't actually come down to coercing superdelegates. If it does then Bernie is even more passionate about putting Wall Street in check than I realized and he must REALLY think Hillary Clinton won't or can't do it, but I doubt it'll go that far.
We can hardly forget about the Republicans now can we when all we hear about is Donald Trump on the news. Every election cycle Republicans and Democrats squabble with one another (inside their own party) about who should be the nominee. This seems normal to me. Remember Obama vs Hillary (and each others supporters)? That was crazy especially since it was so close for so long, but it all worked out in the end.
What IS the proper time to drop out? When he's 300 delegates behind? (He already was) 400? When he's three million votes behind instead of 2? Simply after the last contest?
In my opinion, June.
This also isn't helping the rest of the party. Once there's a unfied candidate al the money and resources can go together, and all the downticket races can start coalescing around a real plan and message. The Republican side is going to be chaos for the next four months, while the democrats can be stable and strong and responsible adults right now, and Hillary can declare up front what position she'd put Bernie into… and so those pissy voters and independants can have half a year to adjust.
Yeah, and this will all come naturally when Bernie drops out but him doing so now when he knows he can win a few more states and they have one more debate in May (TBD) where Bernie will have the national limelight one last time to push his message as the Democratic Candidate for president…it just feels too early for me and probably him and definitely for his more ardent supporters to step back now.