Populism

[Alcon]

What kind of role does populism play in American politics? Why does populism play better in America than in Europe?

If you mean populism as in "movement of the people," it plays a big role in the conservative Christian movement, and a declining role in the labour movement.

[Alcon]

Not relative to the Democrats, but okay, I see your point. They have gone spending crazy in the short term.

In the short term? I don't really see any attempts by the Bush administration to limit spending whatsoever. Bush seems to have abandoned any attempts to keep government small.

[Alcon]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Judicial%20Nominations--May%2014.htm

57% of Americans say that "Senate rules should be changed so that a vote must be taken on every person the President nominates to become a judge."

Again, people are stupid: I'm sure plenty of people misinterpreted it to mean Bush not being able to just, say, appoint them.

[Alcon]

Well, he also asked, "If Rules are Changed, Should Democrats Shut Down Senate?"

So it would be kind of weird for someone to think that...

I suppose that's true, but after seeing polling on Social Security reform...you never know.