General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: The Ideologically Pure Ruin US Politics [View all]CajunBlazer
(5,648 posts)At one point many of the most rabid conservatives were members of the Democratic Party and at the same there were moderates and even liberals in the GOP. As the two parties started to divide ideological lines and the almost all of the conservatives defected to the Republicans that left only liberals and liberal leaning moderates in the Democratic Party.
Democratic politicians no longer had to moderate their views to appease the conservatives that were no longer in their electorate. Existing politicians could voice more liberal views and still be reelected. In some locations, especially in Democratic enclaves in South, began electing House members that were far more liberal than those which had come out of those areas a few years ago.
But don't take my word for it - political Scientist have studied this phenomenon agree with me. http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2012/04/10/150349438/gops-rightward-shift-higher-polarization-fills-political-scientist-with-dread