Are Democrats Becoming Extremists?

As an early member of the Tea Party, I disagree with the article's characterization of the organization. The people with whom I interacted, without exception, were working for a stricter adherence to an originalist interpretation and use of the Constitution. We wanted the border to be properly patrolled and immigration to be done legally. We rejected many of the Obama administrations policies, and worked within the system to try to curb some of their worst excesses. We were hardly Alinskyite in our approach; the Tea Party was one of the most law abiding and generally polite "protest" movements in US history. We got things done, in spite of the IRS targeting of many Tea Party affiliated groups. When we had rallies, we left the areas cleaner than when we arrived. The "Occupy Wall Street" crowd could not claim any of the above. The Tea Party did not damage property or attack people who disagreed with us, although some of our people were attacked, at least a few by SEIU thugs. Full disclosure: I was once an SEIU shop steward, but I repented.

Yes, many are. So are many Republicans. Every side of a conflict has radicals- and I think that's by and large what this article was trying to highlight despite the poor choice in title. I think the real question is how did the extremists on both sides of the aisle manage to accrue so much influence and, like many radical movements, I think it's a sign of people who feel their voices aren't being heard. Both sides see the other as the oppressor and aren't willing to hear the other out further perpetuating this sentiment.

The answer to your question is yes, they are.