The problem is that the Left thinks in nothing but slogans that fit on bumper stickers.

Which means that n the other side of the catchy alliteration there's nothing but glue that'll stick to whatever it brushes against, and contaminates everything it touches.

Well, I seem to remember the Left was also declared dead after Reagan was elected, and after the fall of the Soviet Union. Yet, somehow, we then got eight years of Clinton, and are still paying for it in the form of absurd Supreme Court decisions.

Actually, "the Left" will never really die because, like "the Right," it's based largely on emotion. The two basic stances of "preserve what is" and "make it better" always remain, regardless of policies and arguments which shift and even reverse: a century ago, it was the Right arguing for tariffs and the Left arguing against them.

Who was the last Democrat to run as a leftist and win?

The thing is they're realizing it themselves now, that's when the fat lady sings.

PSF: The "left" didn't exist before Rousseau, why can't it go away forever?

It doesn't matter what they call themselves while campaigning. Certainly Clinton didn't call himself a leftist, but we still got Ruth Bader Ginzberg and nearly got Lani Guinier.

There have been revolutionary/progressive/anti-status quo forces throughout history, under many names. And thank goodness, or we wouldn't be here now. The question is always how far to go.

1. This is all very silly; the Left isn't going away.
2. Be careful of what you wish for (as they say).

Every (more or less) stable, democratic political system needs a viable, sensible opposition, if only to keep the "ruling" party honest.

The Democrats haven't doing their job very well, it is true; and too much of the stuff emanating from that corner has been vile and non-sensical, that is when not vapid.

But they've made their contributions; and the system needs them. They are needed, if only to sharpen one's own views and to have something about which to complain and express righteous indignation---and, more importantly, perhaps?---laugh at.

Pepys: The left existed in ancient Greece and Rome, that we expressly know of, and, we may be sure, in every other time and place.

Enemies of permanent things, haters of parents and neighbors, uttering the great, "non serviam!"--these have always been with us.

Pepsy, read Taylor Caldwell's "Pillar of Iron." A fascinating well written historical novel about Cicero who spoke to the same issues as we do here.

Democrats have plenty of convictions. They just cannot admit to them and have any hope of winning a national election in this county.

Barry, a sensible opposition party is indeed needed, no quarrel there. But where is it written that it must be a leftist party? Wouldn't this be a grand century if the big arguments in America were between the conservatives and libertarians, and to find a real leftist one had do visit a dusty old museum, oops, I mean college campus?

Kirk, the point of the article is that none of the upcoming "big arguments" in America are going to be between the Left and the Right.

Lou, name a leftist before Rousseau?

The Gracchi brothers in ancient Rome would qualify. As Lou mentioned, the series of events leading to the Roman civil wars can be seen as a struggle between conservatives and liberals. Even Julius Caesar has been interpreted as a leftist figure.

The medieval Cathars did not believe in private property or marriage. Tyler Wat, who lead the Peasant's Revolt in 1381, would be leftist. Thomas Muntzer set up a commune and lead another peasants revolt during the Reformation. The Levellers in the English Civil War were leftist as well.

Much depends on what definition will be accepted as leftist. Much of what was "radical" or "left wing" or "liberal" previously is now defended by conservatives.

Chris, You're looking backwards through a distorting lens. The groups and people you mentioned had fundamentally different assumptions about things than anyone after Rousseau. It is those assumptions that are evil and cause things to end badly. Those assumptions are what have lost their appeal.

The entire range of English politics at the turn of the 20th century is now contained within the Republican Party.