Yuval – I’m not entirely sure I agree that American populism has always been culturally conservative, unless of course we all seek refuge in the safe harbor of “it depends on what you mean by conservative.” Huey Long was folksy but was he culturally conservative? Again, I’m not sure. I guess you’re right that populism and patriotism (or nationalism if you prefer) were more closely linked in the past than they are today, which gave it a more culturally conservative feel. But I think you’re dead on about today’s Democratic populism. It’s chief target seems to be a certain segment of affluent angry liberals and their anti-elitism is more about attacking another faction of the Democratic Party than about “storming the gates” from below. It’s more like storming the gates of the neighboring gated community.