Partisan Polarization Surges in Bush, Obama Years

[LastVoter]

I think we've known this for years.  And the loss of Senators like Hagel and Feingold haven't helped the situation.

Feingold wasn't a moderate.

[LastVoter]

Forget commenters on the Internet. That doesn't count.

Then look at present day american politics. With centrist  politicians almost permanently attacked by "activists". The only difference being - from the left in Democratic case, from the right - in Republican

Dubya had no problem carrying out his agenda.

Our institutions make it impossible for either party to carry out its agenda except under extraordinary circumstances like the 6-month period when the Dems had 60 senators. Frustration breeds resentment.