They have successfully demonized Republicans who then suffer the consequences. IE: Ann Coulter spouting extremist-sounding rhetoric insulting liberals as being "Godless"-leading people who don't know better to believe the Right are obsessed with religion (and abortion)-and Republicans are guilty by association. Granted, the GOP has allowed it to happen for fear of alienating the religious extremists who obsess about abortion (as if attracting religious votes matter the most). Whatever happened to the big tent?
I am just trying to point out that the MSM has successfully demonized republicans as being extremist ideologues. I don't think it's at all true, but that is how many people I know who vote dim view republicans.