Reply #60: the simple fact Sir, is that after 72 -- every single Democratic nominee

[Douglas Carpenter]

pursued an essentially centrist strategy. Even though Mondale had a background as an old-style FDR/Hubert Humphrey liberal he ran in 84 on a pledge to keep ALL of Reagan's military budget and most of Reagan's tax and budget cuts.

The left WAS marginalized and to a very large degree remains marginalized after the 72 McGovern campaign. That is what happened Sir. Although perhaps we are defining the term left very differently. In fact even Sen. McGovern would not make any classical definition of leftist (leaning toward a social-democratic philosophy). However, he did certainly have left-wing support and reflected some left-wing sympathies. Since 72-no Democratic nominee was the favored of the left of the party. Udall made a viable attempt in 76. Of course Kennedy challenged (I believe it was a tragic mistake) in 80. Then there was Jesse Jackson and McGovern in 84. Jackson again in 88.I cannot recall any significant left-wing presence in 92 or 96 (unless one considered Jerry Brown in 92 from the left--but that would be quite a stretch of definition) . I suppose Bill Bradley who was hardly a leftist, but had some left-wing support in 2000. Of course only Dennis Kucinich actually reflected views of the left in 2004, but Wesley Clark and Howard Dean had some left-wing support, but then again so did John Kerry.

I would agree however that after 72 and largely as a result of the recommendations of the McGovern Commission the role of previously under-represented groups, IE: woman, minorities and gay people did significantly increase. Also, the role of primaries in the selection process increased.