The Shift of Republican Identity

The Republican Party has undergone a significant transformation, distancing itself from moderate voices and increasingly catering to rural and working-class interests, particularly in industrial sectors. This shift has led to the exclusion of centrist figures, like Mitt Romney, signifying a departure from the party's historical alliances and demographics. Regions that were once strongholds for Republicans, like the Collar counties near Philadelphia, have shifted toward Democratic majorities over the past two decades. Consequently, the party now resembles an agrarian faction aimed at serving the needs of its rural base, likening it to Minnesota's Farmer Labor Party.