Interesting 1992-2000 parallel pointed out by The Red and The Blue by Steve Kornacki

[darklordoftech]

In 1992, Bill Clinton started out running as a centrist, but then Paul Tsongas, who was even more centrist, won the New Hampshire primary. In response, Clinton ran as the “true liberal” alternative to Tsongas in the South Carolina primary. This made Clinton appeal to black voters, a key part of the Democratic base that had large numbers in South Carolina, and they rewarded him with an overwhelming primary victory. After that, Clinton was the inevitable nominee and returned to running as a centrist.

In 2000, George W. Bush started out running as a centrist, but then John McCain, who was even more centrist, won the New Hampshire primary. In response, Bush ran as the “true conservative” alternative to McCain in the South Carolina. This made Bush appeal to evangelicals, tax cutters, and deregulators, key parts of the Republican base that had large numbers in South Carolina, and they rewarded him with an overwhelming primary victory. After that, Bush was the inevitable nominee and returned to running as a centrist.