‘Liberal democracy’ implies representative democracy. It doesn’t mean a democracy run by liberals, or whatever else it was you thought it meant.
My country (the UK) is a liberal/representative democracy too. It is a broad term encapsulating the form most modern ‘democracies’ take. We are not a republic.
The problem with the definition (which I did know) is not what I think it means, but what the left in this country believes it implies. The average lefty here would be more inclined to have and define our system as a direct democracy.
The 2000 election is a perfect example. Those on the left argued Gore should be President based on the overall popular vote. There are many arguements against the electoral system, but it basically keeps NYC, LA, Chicago, and other liberal bastions from running the country.
Some great quotes on Democracy:
"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." � H. L. Mencken
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." Benjamin Franklin, 1759
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. � John Adams (1814)
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury. � Alexander Tyler