To be fair, I think that's more of an indicator of how related to personality the election is.  McCain, at least, ticks a few Democrat buttons such as believing that torture is wrong and wanting to close Guantanamo.

I suspect that the Times is guilty of misrepresenting the poll.  The voter can still vote for the Democrats AND vote for McCain so the poll probably reflects a change in selection of candidate, rather than party.

There are also voters that vote different ways in the three elections because they feel that maintaining checks and balances is the most important.  And, for whatever reason, there are voters that are registered with one party, but vote for the other, so these probably affect the figures.

I'm not saying that the system doesn't have its flaws oddities, but I don't think that the ideological thing follows.

GOOD EVENING!