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Can a centrist movement succeed?
Washington Post ^ | 11/29/2010 | Kathleen Parker

Posted on 11/29/2010 7:28:54 AM PST by SeekAndFind

In a political culture where moderation is the new heresy, centrism is fast becoming the new black.

Political outliers - not quite Republican, not quite Democrat - are forming new alliances in a communal search for "Home." Exhausted by extremism and aching for real change, more and more Americans are moving away from demagoguery and toward pragmatism.

Soon they may have options. A new political group, No Labels ( www.nolabels.org ), is hoping to mobilize and support a centrist political movement. Led by Republican strategist Mark McKinnon and Democratic fundraiser Nancy Jacobson, the organization has raised more than $1 million so far - and the formal launch isn't until next month. Backers include Andrew Tisch, co-chair of Loews Corp.; Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread; and Dave Morin, a former Facebook executive.

The group hopes to attract politicians who feel that they've lost elections for being too moderate and voters who feel homeless. There are plenty of each.

SNIP SNIP

When the porridge is either too hot or too cold, the moment for something in between is ripe. More Americans now self-identify as independent rather than Republican or Democrat, even though they may be forced by a lack of alternatives to vote in traditional ways.

But what if there were an alternative? There's little appealing about either party dominated by a base that bears little resemblance to who we are as a nation or the way most of us live our lives.

Yet moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans alike have been banished. Purged, really. Some of them have landed in the No Labels camp.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: centrist; kathleenparker; movement
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To: Seven plus One

Moderates don’t have an ideology. That’s perfect for people who hate to choose sides. And we’ve seen this month, that makes them political armadillos who are the roadkill of life. When you stand pat in the middle of the road, you get run over.


61 posted on 11/29/2010 9:10:27 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: SeekAndFind

Dear Ms. Parker,

When you stand in the middle of the road, you get run over.

Understand?


62 posted on 11/29/2010 9:14:57 AM PST by twoputt
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To: goldstategop
That leaves the 40% in the middle - the moderates. And they tend to go with whomever least terrifies them...

The "moderates" are for the most part marginally informed, and inclined to go the route with the least turbulent flow.

For the purposes of a two party representative democracy, with winner take all districts, they can and should be ignored, IMO. Tough luck, dumb dumbs.

63 posted on 11/29/2010 11:36:14 AM PST by Nonstatist
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To: SeekAndFind

I was having a conversation with a liberal once. He asked, “well, where is the compromise?” and I replied, “My side has compromised to the point where we have nothing left to give up- the left has gotten everything it wants, just not as fast.” Moderation is for people who want to lose.


64 posted on 11/29/2010 1:10:32 PM PST by GenXteacher (He that hath no stomach for this fight, let him depart!)
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To: SeekAndFind

I think it’s an informal rule around here to put dipsh!t Parker’s name in the title so those of us who care will not soil our minds with her drivel. Either that or a Barf Alert will do.

And being “centrist” to any moronic liberal like Kathee means being just to the left of Al Gore.

I’ll pass, thanks.


65 posted on 11/29/2010 1:36:41 PM PST by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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To: SeekAndFind
Ron Shaich, founder of Panera Bread

No more trips to Panera Bread. I will not fund this statist.

66 posted on 11/29/2010 1:59:14 PM PST by backwoods-engineer ("The Constitution is not an instrument for government to restrain the people..." -- Patrick Henry)
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To: Nonstatist

The "moderates" are for the most part marginally informed, and inclined to go the route with the least turbulent flow.

But they still vote. That's the problem.

67 posted on 11/29/2010 3:01:29 PM PST by Seven plus One
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