The answer, as we’ve all been telling you, is neither of those. Leftists (because you’re not talking about progressives no matter how much you try to pretend you are) are inconsequential themselves. But their influence (lately) on uninformed voters is very consequential. People who would never call themselves leftists but are being suckered in by leftist talking points.
What is so complex about “Do democrats need progressives”?
Either they are an instrumental voting block that needs to be taken seriously, or they don’t matter (and therefore deserve no blame if Joe loses).
You want it both ways because you are not arguing in good faith.
The answer, as we’ve all been telling you, is neither of those. Leftists (because you’re not talking about progressives no matter how much you try to pretend you are) are inconsequential themselves. But their influence (lately) on uninformed voters is very consequential. People who would never call themselves leftists but are being suckered in by leftist talking points.