Why Moderates Are Hated

Liberal Republicans (e.g., Richard Nixon or George W. Bush) and conservative Democrats (e.g., Bill Clinton) are frequently hated to a much greater extent by the opposite party than more ideological politicians. I think I have an explanation for this.

Much of the antipathy to conservatives in “blue” states (or liberals in “red” states) is due less to disagreement than to the fear that conservatives/liberals will hand the nation over to THEM. (In blue states, THEY are usually unreconstructed racists who will revive slavery and burn crosses on synagogue or mosque lawns. In red states, THEY are far-left loonies who want to turn the streets over to the criminals.) Someone who believes in an ideology will be treated as an individual. Someone who claims to adhere to an ideology but does not follow through will be treated as not believing in it and therefore is on the wrong side only because of taking orders from THEM.

On the other hand, maybe that's just wishful thinking from someone who wants election campaigns to consist of politicians taking positions and trying to rationally convince the voters.

Maybe I'll try checking what the color of the sky is on my planet.