If you know your history, you also know that the Republican party (aka the Grand Old Party, GOP) was once the liberal point of view in America.
That's true but how does that relate to 2003? Currently the Republican Party takes a politically conservative viewpoint. So it boils down to ideals versus party affiliation. I like Zell Miller and he's a democrat with conservative ideals of which many align with me (not all mind you). I don't give a rat’s ass who you’re affiliated with if you support my ideas and the ideas I believe are a collective good for America.

Back to your quote of shifting "values" in a party concerning liberal republicans. In the democratic party of today, you can see shifts to the right. They are becoming more conservative using its historical definition. By that I mean, I see government leaders shifting to the right a little as time progresses.

For historical reference, the newly formed Republican Party was behind the Emancipation Proclamation. You could call that move “progressive” to use a liberal word of the day.