Originally Posted by tallpilot

The primary system in most states makes this difficult. In closed primaries the most radical wins, in open primaries the other side tries to vote for the most unelectable if they have a safe incumbent on their side. Nothing about the system encouages thoughtful debate, nuanced positions or an informed, critically thinking electorate. It's divide and conquer tribal warfare which has worked fairly well for the elite but not so much for the proverbial average Joe.