That’s true, but since we are talking about contemporary times, it’s fair to use the standards of, say, the last 50 years. As you say, it’s absurd to call Obama a left winger at all. He is moderate on most things and actually conservative on several. But some of the things Schwarzenegger is talking about, the extreme right wing, these actually apply. The idea of unilateral, unprovoked, “pre-emptive” military invasion? That would be seen as fairly insane until recent history. The Orwellian redefining of torture as “enhanced interrogation” and making it proud public policy? Not even in Barry Goldwater’s secret dreams would he have proposed that. A major contender for president who stands up and gives a detailed speech about how Satan has taken over most of the country? Speaking of your 1500s England, that would make Santorum a moderate there I guess. A solid Republican like Lugar getting ousted by the Tea Party? In these ways and many more, the Republican Party is becoming beholden to the extreme right wing.