That's not what I'm saying. Hitler was not seen as "the alternative" to the lesser evil, just as Trump is not seen as "the alternative" to the lesser evil - by the left.
Hitler was perceived, by the left, as a populist demagogue that needed to be fought, just like Trump is. The liberal centrists and conservatives were perceived as "the lesser evil" and "the only viable option." Voting for these parties was what ended up giving Hitler power, since these "lesser evil" parties did nothing to oppose Hitler and in fact handed him the reigns to power, just like the democrats have done with the republicans.

Had I lived in the Weimar republic then I would have voted for the only party that actually opposed Hitler - the KPD.