Interesting information. Remember that this article was published nine years ago and the statement holds true even more so today. I think one reason is that you don't have what I call a "buffer zone" in congress. A buffer zone is an area between the parties composed of northeastern Republicans and Southern Democrats. There aren't many Lowell Weickers and Lincoln Chafees left in the GOP and not many Charlie Stenholms and Jim Marshalls in the Democratic Party either.