With all due respect, I feel like this sort of observation belies a striking lack of awareness of how the US political system works- especially for someone of your acumen re: the Middle East.
Its not a personality thing, Professor Cole, its not anyone's backbone or the Democrats being "wimpy". The Democratic Party is heavily influenced by its funders, its leaders, and structures are present - the DNC, state parties, various leadership positions, etc. - that limit the exposure of the Democrats to left influences. Clinton and Obama might speak to the left for votes now and then, but their entire leadership teams are made up of corporate, neoliberal advisors with occasional nods to liberal social issues; why are you just pretending they even wanted to put lefties in office? Its just wishful thinking, you are ignoring facts.
While the general population might like the Democrats to be the "opposite" of the Republicans, its not how it works. There is a consensus (see Palestine) of foreign and domestic policy that can only waver a certain distance, there are 2 major parties structured in certain ways, and its really the Republicans who, at this point, can move farther right than the Dems left.
You do your readers a disservice to publish such fanciful musings.
With all due respect, I feel like this sort of observation belies a striking lack of awareness of how the US political system works- especially for someone of your acumen re: the Middle East.
Its not a personality thing, Professor Cole, its not anyone's backbone or the Democrats being "wimpy". The Democratic Party is heavily influenced by its funders, its leaders, and structures are present - the DNC, state parties, various leadership positions, etc. - that limit the exposure of the Democrats to left influences. Clinton and Obama might speak to the left for votes now and then, but their entire leadership teams are made up of corporate, neoliberal advisors with occasional nods to liberal social issues; why are you just pretending they even wanted to put lefties in office? Its just wishful thinking, you are ignoring facts.
While the general population might like the Democrats to be the "opposite" of the Republicans, its not how it works. There is a consensus (see Palestine) of foreign and domestic policy that can only waver a certain distance, there are 2 major parties structured in certain ways, and its really the Republicans who, at this point, can move farther right than the Dems left.
You do your readers a disservice to publish such fanciful musings.