Have the democrats shifted left?

[smoltchanov]

On social issues such as abortion and gay marriage, yes. On economic issues such as trade, not since the Clinton/DLC era they haven't shifted to the left.

Very much agree. But on social issues - very substantially. "Pro-choice" and "pro gay marriage" became almost obligatory position for most Democratic candidates (at least - outside South, but even there in large metropolitan areas  - too). 20 years ago (may be even 10) Democratic legislative caucus even in Massachusetts was, probably, "pro-life"... Economicaly - no, with growh of "middle class" and fewer influence of unions  that's natural phenomenon..

[smoltchanov]

Blue Dogs: 10%.  Southern rural rightwingers in the wrong party.  Social and economic conservatives.  Would be Conservatives in any other country (and very right-wing ones at that.). Max Baucus, and Mary Landrieu, and others of the sort would fit in this category.  

I had a very good laugh reading this. Baucus is not Southern and not a conservative. Landrieu is a Southern, but not a conservative - very much a moderate. Have you ever heard about Larry McDonald? Bob Stump? Phil Gramm (he was a Democrat)?. And a thousands of other. Have you studied  and analyzed a composition and voting records of many legislatures (not only southern)? It seems that by your criteria evetyone to the right of Barbara Lee and Maxine Water is a "hard right conservative"))))))

[smoltchanov]

It's not so much either party shifted left or right, but rather less and less moderates are getting elected. So the actual office holders are getting either further left or further right than in the past.

Yeah. 'Liberal' (American sense) Democrats are probably less liberal than they used to be but there are also a lot fewer  non-liberal Democrats than in previous decades.

Not sure about first your statement ("less liberal"), but VERY sure about second. Even more so about Republicans. As a result - no real "center", and vey boring and predictable politics in country: in 98-99% of all cases you can describe a behavoir and voting pattern of federal legislator simply by looking on a letter after his name...