There have been few more eloquent supporters of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ drive for the Democratic presidential nomination than former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who is precisely on the same page as Sanders when it comes to income inequality and the oppressive influence of money in politics in the U.S.

Reich wrote Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few last year, where he criticized the “revolving door between Washington and Wall Street,” that puts the profits of corporations before the public’s best interests.

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In February of this year, Reich — a Clinton-era administration official — endorsed Sanders’ insurgent campaign over Hillary Clinton, calling him “the agent of change this nation so desperately needs.”

Months later, with the writing on the wall — to say nothing of the numbers on the calculator — showing that Hillary Clinton is an overwhelming favorite to wrap up the nomination well before the nominating convention in July, the economist responded on Facebook to Sanders supporters wondering what to do next.

“1. Continue to work like hell for Bernie, especially given upcoming primaries in California and New Jersey on June 7. Putting aside superdelegates, the difference between him and Hillary Clinton isn’t huge.”

But then he went a bridge too far.

“2. Don’t demonize or denigrate Hillary Clinton. If she wins the Democratic nomination, I urge you to work like hell for her. She’ll be the only person standing between Donald Trump and the presidency of the United States. Besides, as I’ve said before, she’ll be an excellent president for the system we now have, even though Bernie would be the best president for the system we need.”

As you can imagine, die-hard fans of Sanders on Reich’s Facebook page found his lack of faith in the viability of a Sanders nomination disturbing, going off on him the same way some did to Sen. Elizabeth Warren when she failed to endorse Sanders before the Massachusetts primary by blaming her for his loss.

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This isn’t to say that many commenters didn’t stick up for Reich — agreeing that a Trump administration would be devastating. But others made the oft-suggested argument that letting Donald Trump win will either be better than a Hillary presidency or will bring about the Great Progressive Revolution that Sanders backers believe is just around the corner.

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Of course, Reich also took heat from Hillary supporters:

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November can’t come soon enough.