Liberal Elitism

The right in this country has done a great job of marginalizing old-style liberals in this country. Whenever they start describing the 'liberal problem' of Coastal educated, secular elitists, I can only see myself. Given they are starting the debate at that point, how can I even get involved in the argument? But why is that? Why should the liberal voice be sidelined.

It seems to me the country has done pretty well under the watch of liberals (FDR, maybe Clinton) and less so under the watch of conservatives (either Bush) with Reagan being an arguable exception. On an issue by issue basis, a large majority of Americans agree with liberal policies and yet somehow liberalism is bad, elitist and downright evil. I am not saying everyone needs to agree with me or that I know best (though in my worst moments I sometimes act like I do) but how did the liberal argument get totally excluded from the table of ideas?