I have long distinguished between “Liberals” and “Leftists”.
Basically, in today’s world, Liberals are a subset of Leftists, and may be viewed as Leftists who haven’t the inclination, Mal-education, time, or energy to make the leap to full Leftist.
It is true that there are many Liberals who can be talked to in a rational fashion, but there are no Leftists who can be engaged that way.
The Communists hijacked the word “liberal”.