Doesn’t surprise me. I do think it tho they’ve gained the upper hand not through conspiracy or extensive planning but our failure to respond, to realize the alternative. And I don’t mean any left answer could have done it. Only an answer with appeal strong enough for the hurly burly of politics.
Failing to respond certainly played a big part. Lots of folks urged Dems to contest every election @ all levels while Rs got control of more & more states. Ds focused on the White House instead. Red state gerrymandering & voter suppression keep D.C. Rs in power even when Ds get more popular votes.