VOA News: US political coalitions in the 2020 presidential election
Despite George Washington's warning against forming divisive political parties, the United States has been shaped by rivalry between the Democratic and Republican parties, now the only viable national electoral options. However, the parties' core values and constituents have drastically transformed over time. The Democrats went from representing Southern slaveholders to championing labor and civil rights. The Republicans evolved from an abolitionist, modernizing party to one favored by Southern conservatives and rural voters. Today, the shifting demographics within each party coalition signal further changes with significant implications for the country's future.