Normalize shitty behavior? Got it.
So...what does the Democratic party do with all these "shitty" people?..sweep them under the rug?..tell them to go fuck themselves?..this worked so well in 2016..The Democrats are going to eventually have to come to grips with the gaining coalition of voters who champion Sanders and Warrens idea's and who want (or have no choice other than 3rd party) to be part of the Democratic party. So..there is no importance to the party of not smearing all Sanders supporters with the behaviors of the worst Sanders supporters?. It's a problem, No?
The problem with Sanders is that, although superior to Trump in every way, there is one characteristic they have in common, their popularity comes from division rather than uniting. He's great as a gad fly, good at telling truth to power. He is his own man, and marches to a different tune, all good qualities in certain circumstances, BUT truth be told he would be a lousy President.
He has shown no ability to build a coalition with people who may not follow his world view. He is an independent rather than a Democrat for exactly that reason, he doesn't seem to want to have to work as part of a team. History indicates the more ideological the senator the harder it is to get other senators to support their bills. That is Bernie Sanders.
If he were to win the general election and become president he would have a hard time getting his plans through congress. He wouldn't have the ability to schmooze, horse trade or otherwise finagle others to go along with his priorities. He's, most likely going to have to work with the Mitch McConnell types -- and he's going to have to convince Republicans that they should be scared of losing their jobs if they don't pass massive tax increases and end private insurance as we know it - rather than realizing that we're all better off with incremental progress than regression at warp speed. Unlike Trump he won't have a party that acts in lockstep receiving orders from a news source with a singular agenda. Democrats from moderate or swing districts aren't necessarily going to fall in line, the result being 4 years of nothing.
Having said all that, I would still crawl a mile over broken glass and dog shit to vote for Sanders over Trump.
To pretend this isn't a problem to the DNC is shortsighted. Sanders is inspiring people to get out and vote. For the Democrats it should be important to get more young people on board than it is for them to worry about when a Bernie supporter might make them mad. Hey..if Democrats are passionate about pushing out his supporters, don't let your passion push away the people your trying to lure in to vote.
At the same time, If Bernie supporters want to have real leverage, they have to try to threaten to sit out the election, or even vote Trump, should Bernie not be the nominee. They think that threat is what gives them clout. Even if deep down they'd vote for the Democrat no matter who he or she may be, they still need to threaten not to do so, outwardly. The "Bernie Bros - Bernie or bust purists" - Let’s see those who support Bernie show some respect for those Democrats who have other preferences without accusing them of sucking corporate dick.
There really is a rift between coalitions within the blue party. Ignore it at your peril.