The left rejected the Democrats' corporate neoliberalism. Some held their nose and voted for the lesser evil despite loathing them, but too many couldn't bring themselves to do it.

The lessons to be learned:

• Nominate Bernie Sanders when you have one. Be popular with the working class.
• Get rid of the shitty FPTP voting (= two party system) despite Democrats benefiting from it, because Republicans benefit even more now that they don't have any spoilers or single-issue nonvoters.