I. The Two Factions: Left‑Wing Progressivism Versus Moderate Pragmatism A. A Historical Balancing Act Undone For decades, the Democratic Party prided itself on being able to bridge the gap between lofty progressive ambitions and a practical, incremental approach to governance,
Todd laments that this balancing act has all but collapsed in recent years. In his analysis, the current leadership is caught in a tug‑of‑war between two divergent groups. One faction is composed of hard‑line progressives who demand sweeping reforms and are unafraid to use incendiary rhetoric to push for radical change. The other faction consists of moderates and traditional Democrats—those who recall the days of bipartisan compromise and believe in nuanced debate and gradual, sustainable change.