You must have read Walter Karp's "Indispensable Enemies" somewhere along the line. He says exactly the same thing. This is why true reformers get shot in the ass BY THEIR OWN PARTY. The Democrats would rather see a status quo Republican win an election than a reform Democrat who would truly change things for the better, and the same goes for the Republicans. All this "fighting" is strictly for public consumption, to make us feel like somebody's on our side.
No, I just reached the same (obvious, to me) conclusion after a lot of years' involvement in politics. I'm glad you understand too :)