The collapse of the political left

[Sanguine]

By Michael Barone (@michaelbarone) • 12/7/16 11:04 PM

It's been a tough decade for the political left. Eight years ago a Time magazine cover portrayed Barack Obama as Franklin Roosevelt, complete with cigarette and holder and a cover line proclaiming "The New New Deal." A Newsweek cover announced "We Are All Socialists Now."

Now the cover story is different. Time has just announced, inevitably though a bit begrudgingly, that its Person of the Year for 2016 is Donald Trump. No mention of New Deals or socialism.

It's not surprising that newsmagazine editors expected a move to the left. The history they'd been taught by New Deal admirers, influenced by the doctrines of Karl Marx, was that economic distress moves voters to demand a larger and more active government.

There was some empirical evidence in that direction as well.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/the-collapse-of-the-political-left/article/2609139

[geronl]

There was a huge move to the left. Trump.

[r9etb]

There was a huge move to the left. Trump.

Well.... no.  I don't think Trump has a 'direction' per se, other than whatever direction Trump thinks will make him look good.