One of the reasons why extremism is so effective in American politics is that many people cast their votes based on feelings rather than history, such as what a person did when they were in office, or policy, or what the candidates say they will do. Consequently elections are popularity contests and not job interviews. The whole point of campaign rallies is to stir emotions, to “fire up” the base. What exactly is the base? History has shown the consequence of elections based emotions rather than actions.