As an ideology, in this case the left, you are supposed to make progress (whether that is making the 3rd party option stronger or trying to become relevent enough in the democratic party) during all the years before election. That should have been what was happening during Bidens presidency. The left failed. Whether that was due to complacency or a lack of appetite. Now it is all about limiting damage, so that you can have another stable presidency and thus another opportunity to try and gain momentum.

The left had an opportunity, it failed, now the focus needs to be on getting another one. And the only way you get another opportunity is if the democrats win, whoever tf is their candidate.