Why do so many people not understand the difference between liberals and Democrat voters?

Question

According to polls liberals make up about 20% of the country.

The vast majority of people who vote Democrat AREN'T liberal though. The vast majority are poorly educated single-issue voters. They vote Democrat because they belong to a particular subgroup and other people from that group vote Democrat.

Answer 1

Yes sir!

Them Demoncrats surely are dummies! 

Answer 2

Because Republicans are just as obsessed with identity politics as Democrats are. Apparently disagreeing with Republicans makes one a communist and disagreeing with Democrats makes one a Nazi.  

Too many people simplify politics to a one dimensional spectrum.  That ignores all the nuances.  The 2d political compass, while not the best, is a better representation of politics.  Being rightwing or leftwing is completely independent from being a liberal or conservative.  Left and right are about economics while liberal and conservative are more about social views and personal freedom.  While leftwing liberals exist, so do rightwing liberals; that's essentially what libertarians are.  

The Democrats are a center right party while the Republicans are farther to the right.  The Green party is both liberal and leftwing.  The Libertarian party is both liberal and rightwing.

Answer 3

Tell us the difference in your opinion.