"A wingnut is someone on the far-right wing or far-left wing of the political spectrum - the professional partisans, the unhinged activists and the paranoid conspiracy theorists. They're the people who always try to divide rather than unite us"

This quote by John Avlon is describing the people on the severe ends of the political spectrum. These people are typically referred to as "wingnuts" and they are defined by their severe views and their propensity to divide instead of unite. They are the expert partisans, the unhinged activists, and the paranoid conspiracy theorists. They are the people who are so entrenched in their beliefs that they hesitate to jeopardize and even consider other perspectives. They are the ones who are constantly trying to stir up trouble and create divisions amongst people. They are the ones who are constantly trying to push their own program and are unwilling to work together for the typical good. In short, they are the people who are always attempting to divide rather than unite us.