"The conservatives need Commies, just like the Islamists need Israel, the fundamentalists need the devil, the Nazis needed Jews and Bush needed WMDs."

If their nemesis didn't exist, they would have to invent it, or quickly come up with a substitute because they have no program other than opposition to the OTHER. Without it, their entire raison d'etre unravels.

In this case, it seems perfectly reasonable that a political movement is eager to recruit individuals with an ideological affinity towards their goals, and are willing to encourage those who may otherwise resist becoming involved with politics because of lack of ambition or self-interest. Its seems healthier than selecting from those who tend to benefit personally from the policies they are trying to promote.