If he didn't run as a Democrat he would never have been able to shame the 'why didn't you run as a Dem?' criticism. Now that he's done that and it's become obvious that's not a viable strategy, perhaps he'll be able to run as an independent more effectively.
As someone with military experience, I'm continually surprised at your unwillingness or inability to look at his options strategically.
Maybe blame Trump's supporters for electing him.
I don't hate Clinton more than the Chump. I voted for her in the general. The problem is that there isn't enough difference between the two. I'm not alone in this assessment, which is why she isn't President.
People voted for Obama's 'hope and change' message- and we got 8 years of the same thing as before. The mood of the country was ugly in 2016, because people did not want more of the same. The Chump's campaign strategy was very shrewd in that he recognized this desire and pandered to it- while of course never intending to do any such thing. Clinton's approach was the same, but she was not as successful as convincing the American voting public.
That said, neither is the leader we need. We need a modern FDR, not another Reagan Republican. Once again, our republic depends on it.