I think the bigger issue is the inability to focus on an issue, correctly identify its components, and stay on message about it.

I've seen some pretty outlandish looking people show up to anti-abortion rallies, and going in the way back machine, tea party rallies. They looked (and were) dumb as hell, but they were absolutely focused on one issue, with focused messaging and overly simplistic sloganeering to go with it.

You just rarely see that level of focused and consistent messaging on the left.