I’m pretty sure that was the point.

Gallup: most Americans don’t know what “Progressive” means in a political context.

Gallup polling reveals widespread public uncertainty about the “progressive” political label — a label recently embraced by no less than Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. While Kagan described her political views as “generally progressive” during her Senate confirmation hearings, fewer than half of Americans can say whether “progressive” does (12%) or does not (31%) describe their own views. The majority (54%) are unsure.

The word “progressive” came back into use because the word “liberal” had fallen into such widespread disfavor. Your hard-core liberals needed some other thing to call themselves that didn’t make the American majority taste bile.

As far as that goes, they’ve succeeded. “Progressives” are the farthest possible fringe of the radical Left, but nobody knows it.

Way to go, guys!

Via Memeorandum.