Bernie has made Hillary a better candidate, and the Democratic Party a better party
If Bernie Sanders wasn't running, Hillary would not be promising no cuts to Social Security, a substantially higher minimum wage, vastly increased access to public higher education, and much tougher treatment of Wall Street. If Bernie wasn't running, Hillary would not be making the kind of progressive effort to shore up her support among the black and gay communities. If Bernie wasn't so effective, Hillary would not be accepting more debates, which puts her stands on record before a very wide audience. Bernie has already succeeded in moving the Democratic Party to the left. I think both Hillary and Bernie supporters should be rejoicing at this.
I know a lot of Hillary and Bernie supporters. My family is divided, but basically those who supporter Hillary support her because they want a woman president. When Obama won in 2008, there was a realization in my white family by that everything was possible for my then 9 year old black nephew, that the glass ceiling had finally been broken. I'm sure all of us can remember the incredible feeling of the United States actually electing Obama. But, that is why many people support Hillary -- in the same sense as a victory for Obama was a victory all people of color, a victory by Hillary would be a victory for all women and especially all little girls. The other reason people support Hillary is they find it hard to believe that a Jewish Socialist with a heavy Brooklyn accent can win. (It is hard to believe, but if Obama taught us anything, the United States really is where dreams can come true.) I don't think there are many people backing Hillary because they believe she is the most progressive.
Bernie is clearly the better individual. He is honest and consistent and is restoring the Democratic Party to what it was before the disastrous mostly conservative presidency of Jimmy Carter (http://www.salon.com/2011/02/08/lind_reaganism_carter/). Those of us who support him believe that he is the most ethical and decent of all the candidates, and should he win will raise the bar to ensure that the next generation of Democrats is true to the greats like FDR and JFK. But, even if he doesn't win the nomination, he has carried the Obama legacy to its next logical step, which is a victory for all of us.
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