[MrB]

Indeed, “yes they can”.

A liberal’s driving motivation is to feel good about himself, to feel superior.

Because of this, a liberal will never admit that the policy or person he supports is a failure or is inept. To do so would be to bring his own sense of superiority and “good personhood” into question.

[Lakeshark]

a liberal will never admit that the policy or person he supports is a failure or is inept. To do so would be to bring his own sense of superiority and “good personhood” into question.

Nailed it.

[Michael Barnes]

Because of this, a liberal will never admit that the policy or person he supports is a failure or is inept. To do so would be to bring his own sense of superiority and “good personhood” into question.

I have seen your observations up close and personal and you are spot on with your assessment.

[jurroppi1]

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis