What does it really MEAN when people label themselves as political "moderates"? [View all]

[Ken Burch]

Some argue that this mean that these people are anti-Right(to a small degree)and anti-Left(to a much harsher degree). This is the interpretation of the term "moderate" that the MSM is fixated with spreading and imposing on American politics.

I would argue, however, that many people who call themselves "moderates" are actually using the term, not to indicate rigid "centrism&quot the "socially slightly liberal/economically reactionary" model that the MSM and many of our Beltway Dems take it to mean)but simply as a euphemism for "sensible" or "practical". They are open to all sorts of ideas, even radical ones, and will give all ideas a real hearing if they can be presented to them as being the most practical solution to a given problem.

This is born out, I would argue, by the huge number of polls where a majority might call themselves "moderate" or "centrist", but then take positions on individual issues that are liberal or even, in many cases, radical.

Therefore, the key to getting the support of such voters is not "moving to 'the center'" as our "strategists" argue, but making a case for progressive, even radical and transformational change, as the most sensible and workable approach to the problems we face.

Discuss.