I'm an European lurker, far from being a Bernie Sanders fan, but here is my opinion on what went wrong, it is just one single sentence that told me he was not willing to go all the way... In one debate, before the first caucuses, he said something like "leave Hillary alone with the emails" and he was applauded by the crowd. Remember that moment? This is where he lost, and let me explain that. It also explains why Trump is so popular, and will win the general election eventually IMHO.

First of all, you Americans culturally act and vote not with your brains, but with your guts. It is very very important to understand that, especially as I am a national of a country which is culturally the opposite of this (my slight arrogance as I write this, even I really respect and love you guys, no matter what, I really do, should pinpoint you what country it is). As a result, most of the time, the stereotypical American will just DO something, rather than sit and watch, or try to find a compromise. Negotiations, reason, philosophy is for weak and dummies. "Follow or lead, or get out of the way" is much more your motto than "E pluribus unum".

And unfortunately, despite his impressive and genuinely respectful career, Bernie had "old style" arguments: black and white photos of him with MLK, videos of him in Congress... It should speak for him, right ?, should say he means what he says, and has a conviction of a lifetime commitment. But, halas, remember who you are catering for... The American public of 2016... in other words, who the hell cares about black and white grainy pictures, and speeches in congress? People want blood, boobs, explosions, ACTION, something that says THAT MAN OR WOMAN CAN ACT AND PUT HIS BALLS OR NIPPLES ON THE TABLE, MURRICA FUCK YEAH!

Now, back to that key moment. Anywhere in the world, and especially America, politics is always game of cloak and daggers, a fearsome jungle that allows no place for remorse or any kind of compassion. I can tell you that for my country (Did I tell you how awesome and influential and magnificent my country is?) has a very corrupt and violent political life. So violent in fact, not only GoT looks like a disney movie in comparison of our modern political adventures, but as a matter of fact, GoT was inspired by our ancient and long history of betrayals and murders and what not. But I digress. In politics, and especially in America, you need a make-no-prisoner stance to stand out and ultimately prove you have what it takes to be a leader. And... that "leave Hillary alone" was a fatal mistake. Never spare your opponent in a debate, never seem to side with her. If you have the opportunity, go for the throat, and cut the jugular! That moment is key for two reasons: the American public saw how kind and generous Bernie is, but ultimately, they don't care, they want a leader who will do something, the more over-the-top it is, the better. And moreover, this is the precise moment where the Hillary camp started their smear campaign. While the Bernie camp was overjoyed and impressed, the Hillary camp saw his honesty for what it is in American politics: weakness. I knew what would happen then, and sure enough, it came up. You thought maybe Hillary would respect Bernie for his gentleman move. But she knew then he was really too naive and candide to withstand a barrage of smear and counter-truths. This is when the whole "Bernie is against women" started. A leader would have been able to defuse this the American way: contempt, arrogance, and most of all, the secret ingredient of American politics, countering smear by smear. American politics is a bunch of monkeys throwing feces, and ultimately, the gen pop will side for the baboon with less fecal matter over him. Where you saw an honest person, the gen pop thought "okay, that Bernie guy is honest and kind, he looks like Santa, but Hillary, damn, now she knows how to smear and go for the throat, and walk over people, damn right!"

Second, a word on Trump. Not only you Americans do love some action, and being over-the-top all the time (and again, I love you guys), but this is exactly why Trump will make his way in office. Trump is over-the-top all the time, and he's always the leader of the debate, always in the action. It doesn't matter what is the fond, what the American people love is the forme (bottom and shape ? Not sure how to translate that. The content of a message or a person opposed to its image, what it looks like. The American always prefer the latter). Trump will dominate because he's the American way came to fruition: I do, therefore I am. It doesn't matter what I do, I do, and I do it with boobs, and explosions, I'm the political version of Macho Man (will all due respect to Randy Savage). Don't annoy me with your puny details, look at my pecs, look at my hair baby, and listen to my strong words. I will even drop the F- and B- words on the night I'm elected, woohoo. People side with him because they are angry as hell, and they know that guy will upset the system, knock over the table, burn everything in his path. Nobody cares about reason, responsibility and consequences when you have an entertaining show of constant in-your-face arrogance, contempt and reckless attitude. What people fail to understand is that, while Don has what it takes to be a leader, and he will do whatever it takes to come into office.... well... he will still hold the same Juggernaut attitude once in office, but he will turn and use it against his own people. And I mean "We the People" in this case.