Thread by @ThePlumLineGS

What explains the tensions between moderates and progressives?

The 43 seats Dems flipped are on average more GOP leaning than the country.

By contrast, the remaining 192 seats are *way* more Dem leaning.

I talked to @Redistrict, who did a deep dive:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

@Redistrict Here are some interesting factoids.

The seats held by "the Squad" are +29, +14, +32, and +26 more Dem leaning than the country overall.

Those are *very* Dem leaning!

By contrast, these moderates are in seats that are +3, +4, +5, +6 more Republican.

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

@Redistrict The 43 House seats that Dems flipped -- the moderates -- average out to be +2 more Republican than the country overall.

By contrast, the remaining 192 Dem seats are on average +16, per @Redistrict's calculations.

That's a huge disparity!

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

@Redistrict All this explains why the high profile of House progressives is having more success pulling the presidential primaries left, even as the House isn't moving on things like impeachment.

A really interesting interview with @Redistrict on all these matters:

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…

@Redistrict CODA: One big factor here is that the median House district is +5 more Republican than the country overall, due to geographic sorting, gerrymandering, etc.

This ensures that the seats that push Dems into the majority are more GOP-leaning. A problem!

washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/…