You really have to ask if they are simply running that way, or ARE they that way. History shows they are running that way to get elected, and once elected, back to the same leftwing extremism we see today.
in this case, I believe Emanuel thinks this way..he was one of the clintonites and today clinton's policies would be considered right of center. But, like I posted, I don't know how he governed in Chicago. The proof would be in that
I doubt he would ever get the nomination though, the party has moved away past him, to the left