Judging from the responses there is still some vast chasms in beliefs. As to address the questions to me...
I think Bill Clinton would be perceived as a centrist, somewhat right leaning candidate today. He campaigned on improving the economy, reducing the $300 Billion dollar deficit (LMAO), taking "power back from the bureaucracy in Washington, DC" and giving it back to the people. He actually signed the "Defense of Marriage Act" which was not well received by the gay community. His stance and legislation on illegal immigration would be considered draconian and "TrumP" like in today's world.
Yeah Bill Clinton couldn't get elected on the Democratic ticket today. And I'd argue if the 1992 Clinton ran today... he'd probably win in a landslide. So there's that.
Fiscal conservatism (something that Bill Clinton actually ran on) is no longer even discussed. Our current debt is about 35 TRILLION. And neither party even wants to discuss it. Both parties have lost me here especially.
Big Government, Big Debt, and random legislation when we don't even enforce current law.
George W. Bush was a champion of immigration. He visited President Fox of Mexico, and introduced immigration reform. While securing the borders, he offered paths to undocumented folks and pushed for family Reunification. He'd probably be skewered as a liberal today just based on his stance on immigration. And something that I applauded him for...
And I can go on, but I've got a feeling most people won't read my summation as how the parties have drifted away from their constituents, but more of how they can prove their party is "right" or "better" than the other guys.
And finally... my view on Libertarians being vague. I mean just that... that party is encapsulating the fringe of both parties, the folks who feel unrepresented, and everything in between. It's like a non-denomination church.
It's just no for me.
Personally, I want a government, and leadership that adheres to fiscal conservatism. (Jimmy Carter had the best idea that got corrupted quickly in ZBB). I prefer a strong military as that is defined in the Constitution, and I want secure, AND welcoming borders. I think the Constitution does a great job of spelling out the rights and roles of the government and states. I will gladly pay taxes to support these roles and vote for folks who advocate for the rights expressed in the Constitution. I don't like the government getting involved in social norms, as I don't think that is an expressed or implied right of the government.
But what we have now is open borders pursued by one aspect, loonacy on the other... and a bunch of people yelling at each other like a sports event.
I think I'm just gonna start sitting this stuff out.