Entire legislative caucuses now vote straight down party lines without crossovers from the other side. We see lock-step party discipline, even against issues the party once supported or even originated, just to obstruct, humiliate and hamstring an opponent, regardless of the damage they may inflict on the country. And moderates either receive no party support for campaigns, or are drummed out in primary challenges by more ideologically pure zealots. And of course, there are pledges and oaths which must be publicly signed to avoid ostracism by one's own party...

GHWB, in my opinion, the most competent and experienced Republican President to run for reelection since Eisenhower, was practically abandoned by his party because of his unfortunate "Read my lips" comment. Lack of ideological purity.

Add to this, the fear that you'll have to stand in line for hours to vote because of new voting laws designed to make it harder for your party to participate...well, that gives people little choice to not only vote early, but to vote party line.

I know you probably don't see it that way. But I do.