This article was initially published as a letter to subscribers of The Upshot’s newsletter. You can sign up for the email here to get this and all of the best of The Upshot.

Bernie Sanders called up Nate Cohn of The Upshot last week to explain why he thought he could win the Democratic nomination for president. That conversation was mostly about ideology versus class.

But some of our readers started a different debate: idealism vs. pragmatism. In the final few months of an election, when it becomes evident that a candidate you support has no chance, is it better to continue that support (and possibly abstain from voting) or to rally around your party’s front-runner to prevent the opposing party from winning?

Another example of idealism vs. pragmatism: Ralph Nader’s candidacy in 2000, or if Donald Trump decides to run as an independent in 2016.