I'm Glad Hillary is a Centrist

[firebrand80]

I supported Obama in 2008. The biggest reason I supported him was that he showed a willingness to move beyond ideology and work across the isle to get things done. This ultimately didn't happen much, and we all know the reasons why. Despite that, these are the kind of politicians we need. Nothing ever gets done in Washington if everyone stays in their far-left and far-right fox holes.

I'm a liberal. However, there are 300 Million+ people in this country, and they don't all look like me. The Presidency is held by a single person. The President has to appeal to as broad a swath of the American public as possible. It would be unreasonable of me to demand ideological purity from a President. The only logical choice is to support the person that represents me the best.

At this point, the Democratic Party is the party that's a lot more willing to work across the isle to get things done. I'm proud of that. When a Republican does the same thing, the far right that controls the party throws that politician under the bus. The result is that every GOP Presidential candidate that's actually qualified for the job is in the in the single digits or close to it. That's the kind of party that a lot of DU members want us to become.

What's more, the American people are starting to see the difference between the parties. They're starting to see that the fringe that controls the GOP is not the direction we want our country to go in. Of course, DU would had you believe that the party is on the verge of collapse because we're not liberal enough. The truth is, the party is doing great, it's the GOP that's hurting.

We have a clear lead in party registration:



The future going forward for the GOP looks even worse:




As I said, people are starting to see that we're the party of grownups, and the GOP is not. It's clearly not doing perfectly, we need to find a way to do better in midterm elections. Referring to Hillary as a "centrist" as though that word were in epithet is the kind of thinking that put the GOP in the position that it's currently in. Hillary is a centrist. Obama is a centrist. Bill Clinton was a centrist. Jimmy Carter was a centrist. She's exactly the kind of President we need.

[leftofcool]

1. Excellent post!

[democrank]

2. Thanks for mentioning Jimmy Carter.

Such a humble man and what a life he led post-presidency.

[EndElectoral]

49. You mean the fellow who wasn't impressed with Hilary's run as SOS?

[daleanime]

3. because the only people I'm unwilling to work with.....

are liberals. Thanks to the Third Way I don't have to. Yeah!

[Armstead]

5. A big difference between "centrist" and moderate

A good, well thought-out post -- but I disagree.

As a liberal/progressive who considers myself on the leftward side of the mainstream, I see a big difference between moderates and so-called centrists.

I am comfortable with moderate liberals. We may differ in interpretation of desired (or realistic) pace and extent on specific issues, and overall message. But I feel like we're pushing in the same direction.

But "centrists" too often push in the opposite direction, towards corporate control, deregulation, privatization and overall Oligarchical values. Centrists push to the right, and although perhaps socially liberal, they are conservative in terms of issues of wealth and power.

Therefore, with centrists in control, it is really difficult to identify or relax, because they keep pushing us into GOP style policies and messages.

I am also not averse to compromise and reaching across the aisle when necessary. However, that means standing our own ground and trying to reach a mid point -- it does not mean racing to the other side of the aisle and saying "Here you go. I'm compromising by giving you 80 percent of what you want."

[firebrand80]

7. I use the terms "moderate" and "centrist" interchangeably

I agree with what you're saying about reaching across the isle.

The irony is that the right says the exact same thing that the left says about their politicians that compromise. They call Bohener Obama's lap dog. McConnell is similarly weak. Rubio was a Tea Party darling until he committed the mortal sin of trying to work with Democrats on immigration.

The reason the GOP is losing? Not conservative enough.

Does that sound at all familiar?

[Armstead]

9. The GOP has the same problem as the Dems

Controlled by status quo, Big Money "centrist" interests, while claiming to represent a larger population and specific interest groups. The GOP establishment is beholden to the Oligarchs too, but more "conservative" on hot button social issues.

The "team" aspects of those issues means we are caught in gridlock.

[cali]

6. Fair enough. I disagree with you, but at least you're honest about her.

However, I contest your claim that. people are starting to see that we're the party of grownups, and the GOP is not. There simply isn't evidence to support it at the current time. Republicans control 2/3 of the state's and Congress. Not to mention that it is delusional to think that republicans will work with Hillary.

You know who wasn't a centrist and accomplished more than those you mentioned? FDR.

[firebrand80]

8. I think young people are clearly moving democratic

As well has Hispanics.

I think control of Congress is mostly because of a failure of Dems to get out in midterm elections. If you look at the base of the party, it kind of makes sense, but we have to find a way to change that.

You're correct about FDR in a sense, but I think we're too far removed to necessarily place him comfortably in the 2016 political spectrum.

[JonLeibowitz]

42. Young people are moving liberal and don't give a damn about parties.

Meanwhile the Democratic party is lurching rightward.

[Lucinda]

10. I've been saying for a LONG time that I feel the best way

to move the country left is to work from the center to make changes based on solutions acceptable to both sides, while working to move those on the center right, leftward. Their party has been co-opted by extreme voices.

[firebrand80]

11. I don't even have a problem with a person being far left or far right

Just be a little open minded and have some self-awarness that there are a lot of people out there that don't think like you. It seems to me that people on both sides believe that most people think they way they do, they just don't vote that way for one reason or another.

[Lucinda]

51. Sorry! I just saw your response!

Yep...it seems that way. Political POV's are often just as complex as those pesky humans who have them

[Motown_Johnny]

12. She is not liberal enough for my taste

Given the current state of politics, I don't think we will lose the advantage of being the grown ups if we move left.

A no fly zone in Syria on the other hand.........

[Doctor_J]

13. Hillary is a conservative.

She wants to ramp up the wars, keep a poverty level wage, keep the TPP and NAFTA, keep private prisons, schools, and health insurance, keep the death penalty, keep drilling, increase domestic spying, and keep the patriot act. That's not a centrist, it's a conservative.

Her ideology is nearly indistinguishable from Bush, mostly because she is a member of the Bush family. If the ge happens to be Sanders vs Bush, I would think that you and the rest of the hillarians will be voting for Jeb! since he's far closer to Hillary than Bernie is. If not, then you're supporting Clinton in the primaries for some other reason.

Also I don't want someone as far right as Clinton is to be "meeting Paul Ryan half way". I would much rather stay where we are than move even farther to the right.

[Funtatlaguy]

30. She's really only lib/prog on social issues

The things you point out are where many neocons stand.
Big Business, pro -war GOP types will secretly (and some not so secretly) vote for her in droves if Trump or Cruz get the nomination.
Those folks don't care about abortion, ss marriage, and immigration like the evangelicals and tea party republican types do.
So, Hillary wins in a landslide and we get a more or less status quo centrist Presidency.

But, if it were somehow Bernie vs Cruz or Trump, the neo-cons would prob just stay home.
Bernie still wins in a landslide and becomes our most truly progressive Prez. My .02.

[Vattel]

14. Bernie has shown that he can work across the aisle while promoting progressive policy.

see http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251971984

Centrist policies like welfare reform and the war on drugs and invading Iraq we can do without.

[sonofspy777]

15. THIS^^^ nt

[rsexaminer]

16. In the bag.

Does anyone actually think she is going to lose the primary or general? I just don't see it.

[NurseJackie]

17. I'm sure Bernie's fans understand the reality of things. What you're witnessing now ...

... is the manifestation of anger and frustration that's masquerading as unbridled optimism. In spite of the brave face and aggressiveness in their anti-Hillary messaging... and in spite of the online polls and bumper-sticker counting, it's clear to me that they know he's plateaued and doesn't have a path to the nomination. The recycled attacks on Hillary (and now Bill) aren't getting any traction, Bernie's message isn't catching on or people just aren't convinced that he's the best person to do the job. If I was in their place, I guess I'd be feeling the same way and hoping that wishful-thinking would be enough to get my candidate over the top.

[Armstead]

22. You may be partially correct -- But the proper response is not....

smug dismissiveness.

[PyaarRevolution]

25. Correct me if I'm wrong.

But didn't Bill say some things on Obama or during the Obama run when Hillary trotted him out that kinda saw him lose his luster a bit? I remember them kinda hiding him after that.

[NurseJackie]

26. I don't know.

[tazkcmo]

29. Nor would you care. n/t

[NurseJackie]

33.

[firebrand80]

18. Plus, the GOP seems hell-bent

On nominating the most unelectable candidate they can find. Was David Duke not available?

[Armstead]

23. Don't count your chickens...

If somehow Trump gets the nomination the GOP establishment will be giving him their backing, and there will be a lot of "anyone but Clinton" and "anyone but a Democrat" resources and support put behind him.

In addition to the angry right wing anti-establishment sentiment Trump has tapped into, more "moderate" conservatives will engage in the GOP version of "hold your nose and vote unless you want Clinton to nominate the next SC justices."

[firebrand80]

37. Trump will get plastered

No, I can't prove it, but I trust my own instincts on this.

[Armstead]

39. I hipe you're right but most people's instincts regarding Trump have been wrong

Technically, he should have been a flash in the pan that flamed out with his early obnoxious statements.

[pnwmom]

19. Good post, thanks!

[Mnpaul]

20. When a centrist works across the aisle with the far right....

You get right wing policy. You must be good with that, I am not. I see this policy as one of the dumbest things the party can do(negotiate from the middle).

[Broward]

31. Exactly, the end result is both parties just move further and further right.

This has been the dynamic for the past 35 years.

[Scuba]

21. Considering her policy positions, she should be running as a Republican.

[JonLeibowitz]

43. For the most part she is. She just happens to be on the Democratic ticket.

[treestar]

24. great post!

I think that the Presidency is by definition going to end up held by a "centrist" as defined by the voters of the day. Obviously the center and radiating from it constitutes most of the voters.

[Armstead]

40. The devil is always in the details. How does one define the "center" anyway?

Is it a majority opinion that the wealth of this country should be so obscenely concentrated in the top few percentiles, and getting worse?

[Funtatlaguy]

27. Kinda ironic that you said isle and not aisle

Because there is now a vast island between what the GOP has become and what the Democratic Party should stand for.

[tazkcmo]

28. That's why I won't vote for her.

One person's treasure is another person's trash.

[Green Forest]

32. Labels don't matter. Independents prefer Bernie by a wide margin. Voters want a candidate who is consistent in their conviction.

Hillary is perceived as untrustworthy and has net unfavorables that are historically among the highest ever recorded for a serious presidential primary candidate. Both these factors indicate trouble ahead for the Democratic Party downticket. Nobody has ever been elected POTUS with such a high likeability deficit.

The bloc of voters who decide general elections are independents and they clearly prefer Bernie over Hillary by a wide margin. Bernie is simply more electable in a GE. This is a fact borne out by numerous reliable polls. He will bring out first-time voters alienated by the status quo in droves while I believe Hillary will do the opposite.

[redstateblues]

34. There are also reliable polls that say

a majority of Americans won't vote for a Socialist. I'm not sure how you figure Bernie is so electable when he can't get above 30% in reliable polls.

[Green Forest]

36. That was early in the race. I haven't seen a recent one that said that commissioned by an independent news source.

I explained clearly why I feel a Bernie is more electable than Hillary. The majority of independent voters who find her untrustworthy and unlikeble will not be voting for her in the GE. On the contrary, I believe they will vote for the GOP candidate.

All those "reliable" polls you mention are skewed/weighted by likely voter screens and demographics favorable to Hillary. Name recognition for low-information voters also factor in, as they did when Barack Obama ran in 2007. This will not be the case if Bernie runs as the nominee.
For a truly reliable poll, I look at Iowa and NH to see relevant polling of an informed electorate who is familiar with both candidates, in particular the last Des Moines Register poll taken by the doyenne of Iowa primary polling. Those paid for by the Hillary Super PAC are generally exercises in media propaganda.

[firebrand80]

41. If what you say is true

Then Bernie should win the nomination. At this point, it's not looking like he will.

[Green Forest]

50. I was not aware that independents can vote in the Democratic primaries.

Reread what I said.

[AgingAmerican]

35. Centrist means half Democrat and half Republican

Which is the Republican half? Why would anybody embrace right wing thinking?

What is the ideology of a 'Centrist'? There is no center in American politics.

[bowens43]

38. centrist = sellout. no thanks. she will not get my vote

she and those like her are exactly the reason this country is so fucked up.

[JTFrog]

44. Yea, she is the reason this country is so fucked up.

Do people here even listen to themselves?

I can't wait for common sense to come back to DU. We all need to band together to beat the real enemy. The GOP. If you think that Hillary is the reason this country is so fucked up, then you have a serious disconnect with reality.

[Alfresco]

45. The future is Bright for the Democratic Party! Go Hillary!

[Betty Karlson]

46. Shame on you for implying that Sanders positions (which are shared by a majority of the voters)

are somehow camparable to the loony policies of the Tea Party.

The last thing we need is more Third Way centrism, which led us to disastrous voter turn-outs in 2010 and 2014.

[Bettie]

47. These days a centrist

is a right winger who isn't as nuts as the tea party people. The center has been pushed so far to the right that Clinton seems almost liberal.

She is liberal on social issues, but on economic ones, she's bought and paid for like most of them.

I'll vote for her in the general if she's the nominee of the Dem party, but it won't be with excitement, it will be with resignation and the knowledge that nothing will change for the better, but we might get a few decent SC justices.

I'll caucus for Sanders in a few weeks, happily.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

48. I'm not a conservatice/moderate/centrist. And, I vote accordingly.

[Live and Learn]

52. The reason the GOP has become so crazy is precisely because of our giving in to them.

Keep it up and we will only have crazy and crazier.

In fact, the one that got the most pro Republican legislature through and signed it into law was Bill Clinton.