It's interesting. I used to think similarly, in all honesty, but it was foolish to rely on conventional wisdom after 2016. It isn't so conventional now.
I think there's definitely been a shift more in favor of progressives, and I think Republicans have done it unintentionally. Taking a hard right position can have two outcomes. Either the opposition compromises in the middle (Obama years) or the opposition becomes even further left as a reaction to the far right. Because of how extremist and obstinate Republicans have been, people have become more progressive and embraced those policies.
On top of that you have age demographics, which again Republicans have screwed up. Young people are overwhelmingly in favor of progressives and completely detest Republicans. The pandemic was harder on older people, but Republicans also allowed/encouraged conspiracy theories that killed their supporters who could have otherwise lived.
I know there's other factors I'm forgetting at the moment, but I think the surge in Democrat strength is probably driven significantly by Progressives.
Anywhere a progressive wins is automatically "very unusual politically" the instant people point out that progressives can win in situations where centrists insist they can't.
Oh look, it's one of those progressives who centrist Democrats keep saying can't win in Republican districts.
It's interesting. I used to think similarly, in all honesty, but it was foolish to rely on conventional wisdom after 2016. It isn't so conventional now.
I think there's definitely been a shift more in favor of progressives, and I think Republicans have done it unintentionally. Taking a hard right position can have two outcomes. Either the opposition compromises in the middle (Obama years) or the opposition becomes even further left as a reaction to the far right. Because of how extremist and obstinate Republicans have been, people have become more progressive and embraced those policies.
On top of that you have age demographics, which again Republicans have screwed up. Young people are overwhelmingly in favor of progressives and completely detest Republicans. The pandemic was harder on older people, but Republicans also allowed/encouraged conspiracy theories that killed their supporters who could have otherwise lived.
I know there's other factors I'm forgetting at the moment, but I think the surge in Democrat strength is probably driven significantly by Progressives.
Well first they have to win primaries. Which they tend not to. Also the northeast is very unusual politically.
Anywhere a progressive wins is automatically "very unusual politically" the instant people point out that progressives can win in situations where centrists insist they can't.