You've got that right! One thing to remember, though, is that the New Party had a goal of getting its members elected as democrats. This appeared to be a purposeful strategy to ride the coattails of "normal" (I use this term loosely) democrats into power. Sort of like a, "we will overthrow you from within," mentality.
So true, push the new 'normal'! And how effective it was. Really so very effective, and relatively fast, too. And talk about an 'old boys network', I mean they complained about conservatives but did what they complained about, all wink-wink nudge-nudge, propped each other up and supported their 'new' farther left ideals.
How many dems were fooled or complacent? They weren't really that gullible or complacent, or were they? I think of so-called 'old time' dems, like my state's (PA) former governor, the late Bob Casey Sr., what a stand up guy. And what an empty suit his son is thus far. It just happened that fast. Kinda scary.