Recent midterm outcomes demonstrated that shifting toward the political center delivers electoral rewards, yet Republicans and Democrats alike refuse to rein in their hardline factions. Following defeats, conservative leadership deepened its commitment to loyalists, while progressive Democrats downplayed centrist victories achieved in conservative states. To preserve fragile coalitions, moderate leaders risk ceding influence to hardliners, effectively blocking the broader electorate's preference for national moderation.
Key points
Neither major party is willing to alienate its hardline factions despite clear voter dema…: Neither major party is willing to alienate its hardline factions despite clear voter demand for pragmatic governance.
Partisan animosity and political tribalism prevent the government from executing effectiv…: Partisan animosity and political tribalism prevent the government from executing effective, long-term public policies.
Moderate Democrats risk surrendering their influence to progressive factions simply to ma…: Moderate Democrats risk surrendering their influence to progressive factions simply to maintain internal party unity.
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Mending the fracture requires a new appetite for pragmatic centrism. This, in turn, requires Democrats and Republicans to quarrel with their own extremists, not just with each other. Midterms notwithstanding, neither side is willing.
Pragmatic moderation — call it squishy, if you like — is exactly what most voters want, but the idea dismays the most politically engaged. To be clear, it doesn’t assume consensus on the ends and means of public policy: There’s no such consensus. And it doesn’t applaud lack of conviction. The point is not to avoid disagreement, but to welcome it, accommodate it and make it productive.
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