>>the far right is out of step with the populous

They just cheat and steal their way to electoral victories. The majority of people in the country want what the progressives are selling. Progressives just aren't sheisty enough to hold onto power long enough to actually put legislature in place that the people want.

The repugs/conservatives/far right have a rabid, loyal, reliable base they can always count on to make the most noise and make it *feel* like they represent the majority of the country. But the reality is the are the LOUD minority. Their reps are just willing to break the law to maintain power (gerrymandering, redistricting, voter suppression, etc. etc. etc.) and therefore pass their unpopular bullshit.