"Absolute Failure"? Loath though I am to defend the Dems -- who I wish would go the Jonestown route -- I must say that there were post-New Deal areas where the left *did* influence the party, primarily the civil rights movement, and to a certain degree the movement against the attack on Vietnam. The feminist movement had an effect, too, but as we have seen under Clinton, that has faded to abortion rights and the SC. Problem is, "the left" are too willing to offer the Dems ideas, only to be kicked in the teeth and short-changed in the bargain. No reach-around here.
DP