“For any American citizen with faith in the possibility of progressive reform, these are exciting times. Of late, the Democratic presidential campaigns have often had the air of revival meetings. It will be no surprise, of course, if the Republicans continue to beat the drums of fear and resentment; one does not abandon an orientation so tried and true. (Social science research shows that the candidate who pushes the fear button most tends to have an advantage.) But who could have expected such a change of temper on the other side? Who knew that the old rhetoric of progress, of facing the future with confidence, still had such appeal? Alas, as an old-fashioned socialist and congenital cynic — one prone to barking “No confidence in the twin capitalist parties of war and exploitation!” in my sleep, which startles my wife — I have been immune to all this fervor. Or at least I was until I read Eric Alterman’s new book, “Why We’re Liberals.” The subtitle promises “A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America.” Read the review at the New York Times.