A new CNN/Opinion Research poll suggests that the Democrats may be the party of pragmatism and Republicans may be the party of
ideological purity.
"The poll indicates that a slight majority, 51%, of Republicans
would prefer to see the GOP in their area nominate candidates who agree
with them on all the major the issues even if they have a poor chance of
beating the Democratic candidate. Forty-three percent of Republicans say
they would rather have candidates with whom they don't agree on all the
important issues but who can beat the Democrats."
In constrast, Democrats polled "seemed to place a slightly higher priority on electoral
victory: 58% say that they would like their party to nominate
candidates who can beat Republicans, even if they don't agree with those
candidates on all the issues."