dems going further left has historically led to dems (especially whites without a college education) fleeing the party. just look at the south, midwest, and rust belt/appalachia.

as recently as 2011...there were 2 dem senators in north dakota. alabama had a majority dem state house. west virginia had a majority dem state house through 2013. a dem governor through 2016 (elected in 2012).

but dems embracing issues like gay marriage, black lives matter, no fossil fuels, etc cost them dearly just about everywhere but liberal coastal states.

dems arent even competitive on a statewide level anymore in places like missouri, kentucky, ohio, and louisiana because the party has gone 'too far left' for those states. those states are trending *hard* right.

the repub party...on the other hand...is more authoritarian so they follow the party top down. just look at their evolution on guns, climate change, russia, etc. those were all brought about by special interest groups, donors, etc. the republican base moves along with the party.

so in this case there isnt an equal and opposite reaction.