The party, originally strongest in the northeastern US, experienced a significant shift in the 1960s and became aligned with white, Christian, rural, and older voters, frequently opposing Democratic policies and leaning towards limiting democracy through tactics such as gerrymandering.

A diverse coalition that became more liberal following the exodus of Southern white conservatives, the Democratic Party includes liberal white, African American, Latino/Latina, and LGBTQ+ members and is often disadvantaged by constitutional rules despite having a national majority.

A faction of white Southern conservatives within the Democratic Party who fled to the Republicans during the civil rights era, contributing to the ideological sorting and eventual polarization of the major political parties.

A central figure representing the Republican coalition, Trump embraced partisan identity politics, breaking political norms and appealing to fears among his voter base about demographic changes.

As the first African American president, Obama aimed for unity but became a polarizing figure, igniting fears among certain voters and inadvertently energizing opposition groups within the Republican Party.

His 2020 Democratic nomination is used to demonstrate the moderation and ideological diversity within the Democratic Party, with his candidacy supported by more moderate and conservative African American voters.

The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, Clinton faced significant opposition and became a symbol of shifting gender dynamics, often targeted by Trump and his supporters during the campaign.