[Poincare]

If the past two elections were indeed a reflection of a huge leftward shift in the national ethos, shouldn't there be a serious increase in the number of folks that view themselves as liberal, and a decrease in conservatives?

In 2006 a relatively large percentage of the Dem winners were conservative Dems. In the GOP a number of RINOs (Chafee, for example,) lost. Both parties moved to the right, but the GOP lost possession of the ball while conservatism improved its field position. I haven't looked closely at 2008 yet.

[Sopater]

Both parties moved to the right, but the GOP lost possession of the ball while conservatism improved its field position. I haven't looked closely at 2008 yet.

I haven't looked closely at 2008 yet either, but it's quite clear that the executive office has moved much further to the left.