re: I notice nobody's commenting on whether or not the parallels are there.
The parallels are mostly irrelevant Tom if you knew anything about the roles of the Republicans and Democrats during that era of our history. The platforms of the two parties were nearly reversed as were the demographics of which states were "red" and "blue". Both parties have so evolved since then that you're comparing apples and oranges.
Another Brosz fishing expedition. Did you hear Rush talk about this? That should've been your first clue.
Art