Polarized Parties?

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In "The Week in Review" section of today's (6/13/04) NY Times, John Tierney contends that while Americans broadly agree with each other on political issues, the two main parties have become increasingly polarized, giving voice to more fringe views.

The reality is quite the opposite: the Democrats and Republicans may sometimes spout partisan rhetoric, but when it comes to governing, it hardly matters which party is in power. The range of opinion among citizens in far wider than the two-party system gives expression to.

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