Populism need not be Right Wing. Dems can ride the wave, or be drowned by it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Once upon a time, yes. Not so much anymore.

Once upon a time so called "little guys" had real power, with a large vibrant organized labor movement (usually) promoting their interests. Once upon a time the super rich in this country were not quite as obscenely wealthy as so many of them are today, with fewer billions to throw around to buy anything and anyone they want. Once upon a time it did not routinely cost multiple millions to run for Congress, or even for a State Rep. position.

When Democrats actually run candidates with a strong connection to the working class, they more easily are seen as true defenders of the working class. But that sort of candidate has extreme difficulty raising the money it takes to win nowadays.