Political dissension, strife and conflict, as it's utilized oftentimes, is nothing more than a control device. History proves that the control of people is seldom through neat and orderly steps, but is always cloaked in the guise of some conflict. Externally, it's nation against nation; internally, ethnic group against ethnic group.
I agree with Ayn's earlier comment: political divides are wider than ever, and it is designed by purpose. Different factions, including the Obama Administration, whose favored tool is the use of identity politics, have contributed to the current situation. Part of it is because our first-pass-the-post electoral system tends to encourage these outcomes, but it's also related to the fact that our government has been co-opted by oligarchical elements. As a result, we're just pawns for the powerful. The media feeds this factionalism, with propaganda talking points designed to move public opinion in the service of these interests.