If the democratic party had put forth the best candidate, more people would have come out and voted. Maybe instead of pushing for voting for the less bad candidate, you put advocate voting for someone you actually like? The problem isn't left leaning people not voting for hillary. The problem is the systemic issues in the US voting system which only really allows a 2 party system and which can completely disregard the will of the populace by instead going through the electoral college system.
If the democratic party had put forth the best candidate, more people would have come out and voted.
This is true.
[...] you put advocate voting for someone you actually like?
Sacrificing your knight to capture a pawn is still a bad move. The game we're playing is first past the post. That game needs to change or the optimal strategy won't.