In today's climate, are there really many moderates left?

[nonconformist]

In the past, I think that the majority of the nation probably fell "somewhere in the middle" regardless of political party, and the fringe on either end was in the minority. This is why Clinton had such broad appeal as a moderate Democrat.

I've been hearing a lot of people saying - from here at DU, in person, pundits on TV - that Kerry must appeal to the center to be able to win. Normally I'd agree with this. I understand that pandering to the middle happens in politics and it's what wins you elections.

But I'm not so sure that it applies for this election, and it got me thinking about the current makeup of the political spectrum and the illusion of the all-important centrist.

We are a nation split right down the middle. We are intensely polarized. During Vietnam, there was division but it was also dictated by a generation gap. Now the division seems to be all about political policies and ideologies. Both young and old are on both sides. I think that moderates and undecided fence-sitters still exist, but they're in the minority. They're the people that haven't been paying attention. And it bears noting that apathetic people rarely vote.

So - in your opinion - is the middle even significant anymore?

[vi5]

1. I think there are more moderates than anything else.

I'd say
20% leftist,
20% right wing,
10% moderate but lean left
10% moderate but lean righ
and 40% totally apolitical but overall moderate.

[Alerter_]

2. what is a moderate?

is moderate the same as centrist?

[mark414]

3. very few moderates

I think the only reason we're so polarized is because the media portrays it that way. Also, if people got the REAL truth from the media, the shit that most of us here on DU know about, you'd see a sharp increase of people who defined themselves as liberal.

To go along with Michael Moore and Al Franken, I believe the vast majority of people in this country are liberal. They just don't know it because the media tells them otherwise.

[SharonAnn]

4. Haven't seen many for a while. Today had an interesting

conversation with a true believer.

We're working on some environmental issues and concerned that the EPA just approved a significantly higher than "safe" level of Formaldehyde emissions for plywood plants. Concerns us because of our effeorts to get formaldehyde levels reduced from a plant here.

She says "Well, I think things will be better after the election." Surprised, because I thought she was Republican, I asked what she was looking for. She said "Well, after the election Bush won't have to cater to those corporations any longer for the campaign contributions and he'll be free to take on the issues that people really care about, like the environment."

So, what do you think? Any point in trying to convince her of reality?

[Nay]

6. Gosh, SharonAnn, it makes you wonder whether your true believer

ever looked at Bush's history as governor of Texas, or even his history in business deals, doesn't it? The thread running through everything he does is "what's in it for me?" and that will never change. It's a losing battle with people brainwashed like that. If Bush wins (god forbid) what will she say when he continues to trash the place?

[seabeyond]

5. i am still moderate, center..........and have made up my mind

not a hard one to decide. voted gore in 2000. wasnt hard to decide. but i am still moderate, just not indecisive

[nonconformist]

7. Understandable. I think I worded my original post wrong

I guess what I mean is centrist fence-sitters that can find both good and bad qualities in both candidates and are undecided at this time.

I don't think there are many of them left. Most are either firmly in one camp or another, or so it appears.

[seabeyond]

10. i think a lot of the center has gone to kerry

and few undecided, like you say. i think though now the repugs are moving away from bush,..........bleeding off.

but i agree i think the people that are switch hitters have decided and the ones left, if they havent attached to bush yet, i feel that is saying they will be going to kerry also.

[gratuitous]

8. When you consider . . .

When you consider that anyone who isn't a four-square gospel singer in the Bush choir is vilified in the popular media as a liberal tax-and-spender or an out-of-the-mainstream liberal, the center doesn't hold much attraction. With the true believers and their media mouthpieces backing them to the hilt, any straying from the message puts a person into the liberal whacko camp.

Getting the crap kicked out of you as being a wild-eyed Deadhead radical when all you've done is disagree with some of the more extreme elements and actions of the corrupt Bush administration tends to make the "middle" non-existent.

[PeaceProgProsp]

9. Are there any ACTIVISTS and EXTREMISTS left? All the

extremists on the right try to look like moderates, and there aren't any left extremists any more.