The first election in which the D was left-wing and the R was right-wing

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Obviously the 1896 election.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I totally forgot about the election of 1872!!!
Yep, that would be it.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

1980 is the correct answer, in modern terms.

Eh, Carter wasn't really that liberal, ever read his diary? 1984  would probably be better, and even then....

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested 1872 (although 1896 was the turning point between when it was an exception and the norm)

Why 1872?  Can Tilden be called left-wing, even in relation to Hayes?

We are talking in relation to the gold standard, Grant was conservative on it, Tilden was liberal on it.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested 1872 (although 1896 was the turning point between when it was an exception and the norm)

Why 1872?  Can Tilden be called left-wing, even in relation to Hayes?

We are talking in relation to the gold standard, Grant was conservative on it, Tilden was liberal on it.

I'm pretty sure Tilden was a "Bourbon" and both Hayes and Tilden were in favor of sound money. There were in fact very few differences between the candidates.

Oops, I meant the 1872 liberal Republican candidate, sorry.

[I Will Not Be Wrong]

Are we going to count liberal Republicans in 1872 Democrats? Because then obviously 1872 because of both parties stance on the gold standard, but if not, 1896.