Tennessee Republicans are divided between the "old guard" in Eastern Tennessee, who are more moderate, and the more reactionary conservatives further west (most of whom are former Democrats or the children of former Democrats).
Eastern TN Republicans are moderate?
Phil Roe has a lifetime rating of 92 from the American Conservative Union, but I suppose that makes him a "moderate" in today's Republican Party.
Well historically, the Democrats adapted to a Republican presence in the legislature going all the way back to the 19th century, so the parties were more amicable than in the rest of the South where it was possible to stamp out the GOP early on.
In 20th century TN,the Democrats were also more in line with the national party- think Estes Kefauver and the Gores. It seems that black people had more civil rights and opportunities earlier on than elsewhere. I know that in Memphis, voting was race-neutral surprisingly early on. Historically Appalachia was more liberal (even on civil rights issues) than places like NC and VA so there has been a reversal and it has happened since Clinton.
