That 40 year history contextualizes why progressives were upset with Obama, but also shows how Democrats needed moderate candidates to win the White House.

In a large democracy like ours, the choice is almost always between half a loaf and none. That’s true for Wall Street bankers too, who spent millions lobbying against post-crisis financial regulations (another thing Obama did that moved the country left, but not enough for progressives).

Ideologues will always feel unrepresented, because winning requires building a large coalition. For example, on that spectrum showing progressives/left wing/“far left” going unrepresented, you could add libertarians on the other end. They make up about 10% of the country, and they’re not represented either. At least not by the standard that says Obama didn’t represent progressives.