Since Clinton, it's been hard to tell Democrats and Republicans apart. Democrats cut programs, start wars and reduce the deficit. Republicans pass huge social programs and abandon fiscal responsibility. When Clinton was in Power, many liberals considered him a Republican.
If it's so hard to tell the party's policies apart, then why is there such strong, passionate partisanship? Some say that it's precisely because the policy differences are so narrow that emotions runs so high. That explanation runs a little thin, many people were deeply angered and scared by Obama's win and feel that it will mean terrible things for the country. Many of these people (but not all) show no other outward signs of insanity.
What's going on here?
I think the reason we have such strong partisanship despite blurred party lines is that people act on their political philosophy rather than their party affiliation. Beliefs in political philosophy run as deep as ever and people will readily and passionately identify with one of three world views:
Manicheans: They believe in Good and Evil. Good must triumph and Evil must be destroyed. Failure to see that simple truth shows a lack of courage and conviction. Too many, Manicheans seem simplistic.
Relativists: For them, the problem isn't evil, but lack of understanding. They believe that one needs to understands and solve the root causes of a problem. It is these causes that need to be addressed, rather than mere symptoms. Relativists are often considered naive.
Pragmatists: They believe evil exists, but don't believe it can be destroyed. They try to manage and minimize problems and search for limited, achievable ends. They believe that root causes exist, but aren't sure that they can be understood to enough of an extent to create effective policy. Pragmatists are often considered to lack values, moral compass or courage.
While Democratic and Republican loyalties shift, these beliefs stay pretty constant. When McCain said that Obama "didn't understand," he really meant it. It wasn't rhetoric in service of an argiment - it was the argument.
For many on the right, it isn't Obama's policies that offend, but his world view (which is clearly Pragmatist). They simply don't want anyone who doesn't share their values to lead their country. Contrary to what the conservatives say, the extreme left has been marginalized. The Manicheans, however, are still as vehement as ever and will be on the attack as soon as they see an opportunity.
I consider myself a Pragmatist and am overjoyed that Pragmatists are returning to power. Clearly, our country does much better when our leaders go about the business of running the country rather than embarking on crusades.
Dean Acheson, one of our greatest statesman, had something to say on this point during the early years of the Cold War:
Today you hear much talk of absolutes...people say that two systems as different as ours and that of the Russians cannot exist in the same world...Good and evil have existed in this world since Adam and Eve went out of the Garden of Eden.
The proper search is for limited ends which soon enough educate us in the complexities of the tasks which face us. This is what all of us must learn to do in the United States; to limit objectives, to get ourselves away from the search for the absolute, to find out what is within our powers...We must respect our opponents. We must understand that for a long, long period of time they will continue to believe as they do and that for a long, long period of time we will both inhabit the spinning ball in the great void of the universe.
In a similar vein, Harry Truman in his final remarks as President proclaimed:
I have a deep and abiding faith in the destiny of free men. With patience and courage, we shall some day move on into a new era...
Both men were vilified by both the Manicheans and the relativists of their day, as I fully expect Obama to be. Both went on to be considered among the greatest to hold their respective positions, as I hope Obama will be.
One thing we can be sure of: There will be bitter fights ahead.