Not Much Left : The Fate of Liberalism in America

Tom Waldman's lively and sweeping assessment of the state of American liberalism begins with the political turbulence of 1968 and culminates with the 2006 takeover of Congress by the Democratic Party. __Not Much Left: The Fate of Liberalism in America__ vividly demonstrates how the progressive and liberal wing of the Democratic Party helped end a war, won the civil rights battle, and paved the way for blacks, women, gays, and other minorities to achieve full citizenship. Through reportage, anecdotes, and analysis—particularly of the disastrous defeat of Democrat George McGovern in 1972—Waldman chronicles how the grand coalition that achieved so much in the 1960s began to self-destruct in the early 1970s. Citing the Republican recovery from Barry Goldwater's 1964 defeat, Waldman demonstrates how the two parties' very different reactions to electoral debacle account for recent Republican dominance and Democratic impotence. Assessing liberalism's fate through the Carter and Reagan presidencies, the defeat of Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election, and the on-again, off-again liberalism of the Clinton years, Waldman then brings the discussion up to date with analysis of the 2008 presidential campaign.

tom Waldman's Book Is Extremely Interesting And Gives Us A Lot To Think About, Particularly At This Moment In Our Nation's History.—congressman Henry A. Waxman

tom Waldman's not Much Left Is A Sweeping Analysis Of The Demise Of American Liberalism Over The Past 40 Years, Written With Clarity, Great Insight, And Admirable Research.—joe Domanick, Author Of cruel Justice: Three Strikes And The Politics Of Crime In America's Golden State

publishers Weekly

political Writer Waldman (we All Want To Change The World: Rock And Politics From Elvis To Eminem) Takes A Hard Look At The Near-death Experience Of Liberalism In American Politics, And Assesses Its Chances For Recovery. Looking Back, Waldman Shows How Liberalism Was Reinterpreted Several Times From 1932 To 1972, Especially In Fdr's New Deal And The Pivotal Year Of 1968 When, After The Assassination Of Robert Kennedy, The Democratic Party Was Torn Apart By Dissent (most Notably Over Vietnam Policy). George Mcgovern's Groundbreaking 1972 Presidential Bid Expanded The Big Tent Of Liberalism, Welcoming The Counterculture And Incorporating Issues Like Women's And Gays' Rights, But His Defeat Makes The Campaign Both The Triumphant Final Act Of The '60s, And The Essential Starting Point To Trace The Decline Of Liberalism Over The Next Forty Years. Waldman Suggests That Today's Young Activists May Have To Create A New Liberalism Of Their Own; He Sees In The Current, Tumultuous American Moment An Opportunity For The Resurgence Of Liberal Politics. Though It's Got Special Appeal For Lefties, Waldman's Cogent Historical-political Analysis Is Sure To Engage Election Junkies Of Any Political Persuasion.
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"Tom Waldman's lively and sweeping assessment of the state of American liberalism begins with the political turbulence of 1968 and culminates with the 2006 takeover of Congress by the Democratic Party. Not Much Left: The Fate of Liberalism in America vividly demonstrates how the progressive and liberal wing of the Democratic Party helped end a war, won the civil rights battle, and paved the way for blacks, women, gays, and other minorities to achieve full citizenship. Through reportage, anecdotes, and analysis - particularly of the disastrous defeat of Democrat George McGovern in 1972 - Waldman chronicles how the grand coalition that achieved so much in the 1960s began to self-destruct in the early 1970s. Citing the Republican recovery from Barry Goldwater's 1964 defeat, Waldman demonstrates how the two parties' very different reactions to electoral debacle account for recent Republican dominance and Democratic impotence. Assessing liberalism's fate through the Carter and Reagan presidencies, the defeat of Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election, and the on-again, off-again liberalism of the Clinton years, Waldman then brings the discussion up to date with analysis of the 2008 presidential campaign."--Publisher's description Tom Waldman's lively and sweeping assessment of the state of American liberalism begins with the political turbulence of 1968 and culminates with the 2006 takeover of Congress by the Democratic Party. Not Much Left: The Fate of Liberalism in America vividly demonstrates how the progressive and liberal wing of the Democratic Party helped end a war, won the civil rights battle, and paved the way for blacks, women, gays, and other minorities to achieve full citizenship. Through reportage, anecdotes, and analysis—particularly of the disastrous defeat of Democrat George McGovern in 1972—Waldman chronicles how the grand coalition that achieved so much in the 1960s began to self-destruct in the early 1970s. Citing the Republican recovery from Barry Goldwater's 1964 defeat, Waldman demonstrates how the two parties' very different reactions to electoral debacle account for recent Republican dominance and Democratic impotence. Assessing liberalism's fate through the Carter and Reagan presidencies, the defeat of Michael Dukakis in the 1988 presidential election, and the on-again, off-again liberalism of the Clinton years, Waldman then brings the discussion up to date with analysis of the 2008 presidential campaign. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Quiet Americans Chapter 1. In Locke’S Step Chapter 2. Which Way Did The ’60S Go? Chapter 3. Unhappy Together Chapter 4. 1968 In America Chapter 5. Curious About George Chapter 6. Modern Times Chapter 7. I Am Woman, Say It Loud Chapter 8. Sexual Positions Chapter 9. Out Of Time Chapter 10. Yesterday’S Gone Chapter 11. Pulling To The Right Chapter 12. Blue Culture, Red Politics Chapter 13. Coming Home? Epilogue: Who Are You? Notes Suggested Reading Index Spanning the political turbulence of 1968 to the 2006 election, a critical assessment of the state of American liberalism traces the movement's role in ending the Vietnam War, promoting civil rights, and gaining ground for blacks, women, gays, and other minorities, as well as its self-destruction in the early 1970s, and its possible future with the 2008 presidential election.