It could also be because in the US there is no alternative. You do have the Republican party that calls itself conservative but is so only in name. Conservative

It could also be because in the US there is no alternative. You do have the Republican party that calls itself conservative but is so only in name. Conservative means cruelty, hate, and stupidity in America. These are people who pride themselves on being stupid, who hate the idea of anyone but themselves getting anything out of the government, and espouse cruel values like support for torture and oppression of minorities. Of course highly educated people do not want to affiliate themselves with cruelty, hate, and stupidity by their very nature and definition. The article acts like this is some great mystery when it's incredibly obvious. Actual climate scientists do not seriously take the views of idiotic climate deniers. Actual doctors who care about their patients do not seriously take the views of anti-abortionists or their incorrect claims about life. And in general, though not exclusively, educated people do not support the cruelty of torture or racism. These are the things supported by conservatives in the US. Is it any wonder that people with half a brain abhor these horrific ideas?