The "radical center" sounds like an oxymoron in the context of our nation’s polarized politics. But Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne (in photo) sees a middle-of-the-road political bloc that could take advantage of any opening that Republicans provide in the midterm elections: "Adventurous policies designed to create enthusiasm on the right turned off a large number of less ideological voters." So with centrists upset with the GOP, he concludes: "This looks to be the year of the radical center. If it is, the Democrats will win. And if they win, their task will be to meet the aspirations of a diverse group of dissatisfied and disappointed Americans. Not an easy chore, but one that certainly beats being in the opposition."
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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58 Comments
I’ve been a radical centrist for decades. that’s because the right will screw you over for profit, the left on principle, the top because it’s the natural order of things, and the bottom because they got to do it to somebody to survive. The forward and backward, i.e. the progressives and the reactionaries are utopians, pure and simple; they just disagree on whether Eden is around the next bend or the last. The only sane place left is the center.
Jed, that was downright poetic.
Good anology of the real world Jed. A Big + for you. Thanks for that post.
Does a “centrist” believe in:abortion in the 7th month?conceal carry?higher taxes on a couple who make $100,000 per year?$200,000 per year?affirmative action?quotas?death penalty?fetal stem cell researchon and on.What the hell is a “centrist”?
A centrist is one with aggregate views. That is why it is so hard for politicans to pin point and attract.
For instance, one might be against abortion but for fetal stem cell research. Or one might be fore conceal and carry but against the Death Penalty.
They are people who cannot be grouped in a political sense or easy to attract and motivate.
What is centrist about being against abortion or the death penalty? Are you allowed to have any deep seated convictions?Is it go along to get along?Sounds Kumbaya to me.
To add to Joe’s definition. A centrist or moderate is someone who decides his/her stand on issues one at a time. A centrist is not a package deal, unlike personal identity or ideologically obsessive compulsive conservatives or liberals.
No! Just the way people feel. They are deeply held convictions. They are also open minded and may persaude themselves to move to another position by learning more about it.
It isn’t “go along to get along”. That is what the Far right and the Far left do. They group themselves with like minded folks and never get along with anybody else. Centrist are the people who are working in the real world and just believe what they believe, not to get along, but because that is their position. They could care less about Elephants and Donkeys.
ksagnostic-Your definition of “one issue at a time” is lame. Who doesn’t? I know of no one who believes in everything in the political platform of either party, but that doesn’t make one centrist (whatever that is). Like calling ones self an independent. Means nothing, but if it makes you feel good about yourself, fine. But you are only fooling yourself.
Oh Brother…
Independents / moderates / centrists are intelligent, fair minded people who make decisions and judgements based on facts, not speculation or the wishful thinking of far righties or lefties — we have friends on both ends of the spectrum because we respect the right for everyone to have an opinion.
The have proven to be the best leaders our country has produced — Eisenhower, Truman, FDR, Lincoln were moderates / centrists in their parties when they were presidents.
Independents / moderates / centrists do not need some one to tell them what or how to think or feel. Those that do show they are incapable of intelligent choices — and can be easily led over the proverbial cliff into self destruction and doom.
Garth McGinn is a moderate.
Garth McGinn is best suited to serve the constituents of Kansas 4th Congressional District. He will not be beholden to special interests that have dominated our current representative for the past 12 years. Garth’s positions are moderate. He would help lead the effort in sincere campaign funding and ethics reform. Garth believes energy independence can benefit Kansas farmers immensely and reduce our reliance on foreign oil by doubling fuel efficiencies in 5 years and having half of vehicles on alternative fuel by 10 years. He knows it is a key growth area for Kansans and the nation, requiring both public investment and tax incentives. He will work to simplify the tax code and end loopholes enjoyed by just the wealthiest Americans. The incumbent has little to nothing to show for his 12 years as your representative in Washington, and has no plan for the needed changes. It is time for a change in Washington and the the Republican party’s unparalleled corruption, crony capitalism and scandal. .
Garth McGinn will be an advocate for the change and improvement sorely needed. Garth McGinn will best represent you.
Truth is if democrats win the house it is because the DNC recruited republicans to run as democrats. Even if the dems win the house it will be impossible for the liberal left to achieve any legislative victories only symbolic ones. The exception being amnesty for illegal aliens which will insure devastating losses for the dems in 08.
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity…..Martin Luther King Jr.
FDR & Lincoln were not moderates.They actually stood for something.Ken-So you are saying that Libs and Conserves don’t base decisions on facts? That they must be told what to think? Eisenhower & Truman great leaders? Humbug.Tracy-Wasn’t King arrested several times?
Our 2 party system is obsolete. Both parties are dominated by the extremists that are within them. The only true way to get any kind of political reform is to impose term limits on congress. The current tax system is grossly over legislated. The only cure is a flat tax on all individuals, business’, and corporations. This should also include all that do business in America. When it comes to “moral issues” do we really need politicians telling us what is moral? Why do some people insist on imposing their beliefs on others?
Politics is more like a lava lamp.
One can be fascinated for hours, days, weeks by just looking at the flow of the globules.
What was in the center of the lamp a minute ago, floats to the top and eventually sinks down to the bottom.
Some people claim to be the liquid portion through which all things flow, we call those politicians.
Other people claim to be illumination or the power source so we call can see the effect. We call those campaign fund raisers.
Some sell the lamps at a high price, then use the profits to encourage others to buy still more lava lamps. We call those lobbyists.
Some people use the lamps for target practice. We call those people Iraqi insurgents.
Some people leave the lamps unplugged, non-active and appearing to do nothing. We call that Congress.
my deep seated conviction as a centrist is that george w. bush is the worst president ever!!!
HOTLICK, yes.And then he was shot in the head by a racist.And your point?
And I thought lava lamps were dinosaurs already… :-)
Tracy-I thought your team was saying if you have been arrested (like the Phillll Kline assistant), that was a bad thing. Which is it?
The King quote is commentary on Larry the gay troll.
Actually, hotlick makes a valid point. If the arrests did not lead to convictions then they are irrelevant. 100% irrelevant.
Paul Morrison – move on to other issues. There are many more important questions about the AG’s office and its performance over the past 4 years.
hey hotlickydicky, are you a minister? I’m asking because your id looks very much like one I saw on a REALLY big sign recently.
Most of my neighbors are centrists who voted for Bush in the last election, mainly because they bought the whole demonization by the Repubs. This year they’re fully and wholly disgusted by the Bush administration. These are the kind of people who don’t really pay much attention to whether or not Bush voted for or against stem cell research, or affirmative action, or cuts down our rights. These people are more worried about the war than anything. And one who is a Republican (although I don’t think she even really knows what that means) says she plans to vote everyone out this whole ticket.
In my opinion, moderates are the ones who take the stand against extremism and brainwashing the masses.
Dear Ken,
Garth McGinn is not a moderate. He is a socialist. His position on various issues are in line with the extreme left of his party.
He is a ‘Ted Kennedy’ democrat. Government funded one source health care. Cut and run from the war on terror. Increase the minimum wage.
If you really think poor ol’ Garth is a moderate, give me one issue that he has a moderate position on And I’ll give you five that his is extreme left on.
Hank
<40%!
hotlick. It’s neither.King is long dead.Never ran for office before being murdered either.Totally irrelevent.Your point again?
It appears that anyone left of ultra right Hank is a socialist.
Most people are for leaving Iraq, Most people are for increasing the minimum wage.
Wow – It never dawned on me that I’m a centrist. I’ve always called myself an independent, but the various definitions really fit. And, Jellie, I’m not looking to be satisfied by someone other than elected officials. I’m looking to be represented by them. I can’t remember the last time that happened. If your only barometer for contentment is increased wages, you’re really missing a lot.
Information on Tiahrt…
Find what you believe in, and see how he votes with your groups.
http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=CNIP7814
Actually Dingus,
I’ve never been a government employee. Futhermore, Since I’ve retired I have never filed a claim on Champus. (over twenty years)
I have quit smokeing, chewing tobacco, picking fights in bars and drinking brown liquer. I have been eating a balanced diet and excercising and generally doing other things because I realize that I’m responsible for my health.
Now I realize that at any time some catastophic healthcare emergency might happen to me and I’ll have to use my benefits. But, sir, these are benefits that I’ve earned with my 21 years in the submarine force.
And I thankyou for your support!
Hank
The Centrists/Moderates are those working people who are too busy working to pay for the rich and the poor to take much stock in political stunts.
These are the people that do not live or die by what their overpaid spokesman tells them to think. These are the people that can reason a subject out to a middle of the road conclusion because life is made up of gray, not always black and white.
These people are also the ones that are spiritual -not just Religious Wackos that use their church for their own self-promotion.
Centrists/Moderates are the very people that the two extreme fringes on the Left and the Right need every election to get their particular puppet into office!
Being moderate does not make me weak, I have strong prinicples but I resent people like Hank who are the “either you are with us or you’re against us” attitude. This is what causes chaos and there is never room for compromise.
A house divided cannot stand.
Submarine force is not government?
Maybe it wasn’t the United States Navy Hank was in? IF he was, he was employed by the government of the United States.
Hey Price? If McGinn is no threat, why is your chickeshit buddy Tiahrt afraid to debate him?
In defense of hank here I think that when we refer to someone as “working for the government” we are generally NOT referring to serving in the military.
BTW – nuclear subs?
I don’t know of too many companies that utilize submarines, do you?
If it was not government, then maybe it a company connected to the government? Same difference. These companies are well known to be in bed with government and bribes are flowing back and forth like candy.
And if Hank doesn’t use his Champus – then why not donate his benefits to someone else that could use them?
Oh that will never do – that would mean Hank has a compassionate heart and that isn’t possible being a Republican.
This may be just the year the Moderates tell both the Loopy Left and the Radical Right to sit down, shut up and listen. That is who the moderates are this year.
We are tired and we are not going to take it anymore.
Hank-Your charge that McGinn is a Ted Kennedy socialist stands, but it does not matter.Tiahart 65%McGinn 35%Talking about this race is a waste of carpal tunnel.
No doubt Tiarht will win again, but I’m waiting to see how he does in a Democrat-controlled House. If the Democrats do take over the House, Tiarht’s power will be taken away from him and his behavior will tell more than any speeches he has ever given.
CR – in KS we will see the Dems win AG and Gov and the Reps will the rest of the statewide races. I think that is a good indication of a ‘centrist’ move.
hotlick?
Hank provided NO proof that Garth McGinn is a socialist. Hank never provides proof of anything.
I CAN show you proof that Hank at least SAYS he has fairly direct access to Tiahrt. Then I could show you the neighborhood where Hank lives.
All of this would serve to prove that Tiahrt only cares about constituents who are rich.
Therefore, I charge Tiahrt with being a feudalist.
I have a feeling the Tiahrt-McGinn race will be more like 60-40. It’s too bad McGinn couldn’t gain traction; I think Tankerless Todd could have been vulnerable. That is why he did not have the courage to debate.
If I remember right, didn’t everyone think that Dan Glickman would not lose to Tiarht?
Whatever goes around, comes around. Maybe this is the year Tiarht will have to eat his crow?
If Tiarht does lose, I don’t expect him to return to Kansas. I can see him parlaying his Republican power to bigger and better bribes.
Tiahrt had the advantage of huge Charles Koch expenditures slamming the Democrtas in Kansas. As I recall, he also got debates.
Speaking of bribes. Have you heard that Kerry was paid off to cede the election in ‘04?Pass the word.
“ksagnostic-Your definition of ‘one issue at a time’ is lame.”
What a mature retort.
“Who doesn’t? I know of no one who believes in everything in the political platform of either party, but that doesn’t make one centrist (whatever that is).”
Actually, I don’t like the term centrist myself (it implies people who are resolutely middle of the road in everything-and that is extremely misleading. The aggregate total of a person’s stands may put them in the middle on political tests, but it is a mixture of “conservative” and “liberal” views, independently arrived at, that put them there). I much prefer the term “moderate”, because a moderate is not someone who has a mixture of liberal and conservative views. A moderate first and foremost is a person who does not let ideology or party affiliation dictate to him/her most of his/her positions. Sure, there are usually some areas where a person will not budge, whether it be abortion or first amendment freedoms or something else, but in general the moderate hesitates to take an absolute position on an issue unless she/he feels like she/he has all the information she/he needs to understand the issue. And even after s/he has taken a position, there is less of a tendency to demonize those who take an opposing position. Someone can be a conservative and yet be a moderate in temperment, and someone can be a liberal and yet be a moderate in temperment. The difference is, a moderate is aware that he/she has right or left leaning biases, and will therefore regard their own initial kneejerk reactions with skepticism. Or, put another way, moderates do not keep a conservative or liberal scorecard on themselves, and are not obsessed about the conservative and liberal credentials of others.
In the broad sense, most people in this country are moderates (conservative leaning in many respects, but left leaning on others, and in most cases taking a position on an issue unrelated to their positions on other issues). What makes them moderates is that they are not obsessed with political positions or ideology even when they are interested in politics, and most quite frankly are not interested in politics. They listen to NPR and watch PBS, CNN, and yes even Fox News, and what they watch in the news is more dictated by what they are talking about at the time, not by the source’s political leanings.
The above may sound like I am extolling the virtues of moderates, and yes, as a self identified left leaning moderate, I may be inclined to do so. However, there is a dark side to moderates, and it is this:
Moderates tend to be either swing or (even worse) foul weather voters. What this means is that moderates tend to either vote along party lines or for incumbants unless there is an obvious problem, or to vote only when they are pissed. Moderates are the steamroller of American politics. They are the bad Karma that hits a political party either when its ideological fanatics overreach or when there is a sense that the party in power is corrupt. It is the angry moderate that has now twice arisen to clobber the Christian Right in Kabsas State School Board Republican primary elections.
What all this means, however, is that moderates really have little moderating or reforming influence on our poltical parties or politics in general, because they are inconsistent voters. If you don’t piss them off, you have free reign, and it really takes a lot to piss off moderates (particularly since people like foul weather voters can also simply throw their hands up in disgust and REALLY stay away from the voting booth and the political process). Also, the easiest way to swing swing voters away from their typical voting patterns is to appeal to their fears and their insecurities (otherwise, they’ll stay in their prevailing patterns). This means that the dirtiest, most fear mongering politics is the best way to get moderates into your camp.
This is why I don’t think you will see the parties move to the middle. Moderates are not reliable sources of long term support for a political party, they are simply agents of change, and usually short term change at that. It is the self identified and obsessed partisans who form the reliable basis of support for the parties.
“Like calling ones self an independent. Means nothing, but if it makes you feel good about yourself, fine. But you are only fooling yourself.”
Empty rhetoric. Moderates are a very real presence in American politics. Most elections, they just don’t make their presence felt like the obsessive compulsive right and the left. But be afraid when they do if you are partial to the party in power.
Centrist is just another name for the unaffiliated voter.Become an Unaffiliated voter and keep the politicians dancing for you.
Ksagnostic – Why don’t you just come out and say it?The unaffiliated voters are becoming the fastest and largest growing party in the United States.The real power of the voters is to never let the incumbents and candidates know where you stand, that way they are sure to stay on a proper path while in office.
“It’s too bad McGinn couldn’t gain traction; I think Tankerless Todd could have been vulnerable.”
Ben,It is hard to gain traction when you don’t have much money. The DNC was able to give money to Nancy Boyda (Ryun’s opponent), because she has a fighting chance.http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/politics/elections/15870765.htm
I wonder if Howard Dean’s ideas that you have to build the party in 50 states even though you don’t currently have a fighting chance is a good one. He is caught a lot of flack for this strategy. But how well has the “win on the coasts and invest a lot of money in the few swing states” strategy been working for the Democrats?
should have been “even those in which you don’t currently have a fighting chance…”
Interesting email I got today… McGinn got 27,000 hits on his website last week, compared to 75,000 in all the previous weeks his site has been up.
A radical centrist is someone who doesn’t agree with everything any person or group says or does. They do their own thinking. That makes things difficult for politicians and religious goo-roos who herd people around for a living. We don’t herd well.
MrContro,I saw that too. McGinn may not beat TT, but it sounds like he may just scare him to death! Toddie has spent the last 14yrs fooling the people of Kansas, and more and more of his constituents are finding that out.
ksagnostic-”Most elections, they just don’t make their presence felt like the obsessive compulsive right and the left” Is that what a “very real presence” means?What you said is just what I was saying, “you mean nothing (politically) and you are fooling yourself.” I’ll be very afraid if you can ever decide on anything.
Why does the term Centrist frighten so many people? I see myself as a Centrist because I belive in fiscal responsibility (which was ONCE the GOP platform) and I believe in less restrictive social issues than these Religious Righties want.
This does not make me a nobody and a voter to not take seriously. There are more of Americans who are centrist and we are tired of the fringes on both sides hijacking the political system so that they can just fatten their wallets.
I kind of figured Hank was blinded by the bright lights of the improved economy and it’s effect on his stock portfolio, while turning a blind eye to the cumulative 14 billion dollar national debt and trade deficit. I have a brother like him — was a proud corporate capitalist until the company he had been with for 30 years fired him and replaced him with younger, cheaper brains. He was livid about the wretches of Corporate executive salaries and excessive perks — that is until after 2 years of consulting and dirt work another Big company hired him with a huge salary and tons of perks — amazing how money can buy loyalty —- TT knows it and practices it better than most —