If you spend a lot of time among highly political people, it's tempting to think that, say, ~60% of the country is liberal or progressive, and ~40% moderate or conservative.

The truth is very different:

Conservative: 36%
Moderate: 35%
Liberal: 25%
https://news.gallup.com/poll/328367/americans-political-ideology-held-steady-2020.aspx

Now, there are some things small groups can push through even though much of the population opposes it.

But I think that a lot of people currently overestimate how much the very small group of true progressives can accomplish against the will of the majority over the long run.

And, no, moderates are not a cohesive political group that are united in their love of Joe Biden or Mitt Romney.

But, no, the vast majority of them aren't secret progressives who love AOC either.

This also explains why liberals have to be careful and strategic to win elections whereas conservatives can seemingly do whatever they want: Conservatives have a larger base, so they have a lot more room for error!

(That should also increase your respect for Biden's victory.)

Another way of looking at this.

Ideological composition of Republican Party:
75% conservative
20% moderate
4% liberal

Ideological composition of Democratic Party:
51% liberal
35% moderate
12% conservative

No wonder Rs, but not Ds, stand a chance if they mostly rally the base.