To clarify this isn't a third party, they still vote with Dems.

They were also down to 6k members until Bernie's 2016 run.

Anyone that presents them as a third option rather than a path to reforming the Dem party is ignorant of not only why it was formed decades ago, but what caused it's recent resurgence.

The main point has always been getting a progressive thru the Dem primary and into the general, regardless of what specific election is happening.