Indeed the Democratic Party has changed since the days of FDR. It is amusing to consider that FDR thought that a realignment of the parties might be beneficial,

Indeed the Democratic Party has changed since the days of FDR. It is amusing to consider that FDR thought that a realignment of the parties might be beneficial, with the Republicans picking up the conservative (often southern) Democrats and the Democrats picking up the more liberal (often northeastern) Republicans. How'd that work out? And of course you are completely correct on the inability to perceive conflicts of interest--where they are or where they just might be.