Here's the truth about Centerism.

[denem]

http://www.ropercenter.uconn.edu/elections/
Exit polls since 2000

Democrats (%) voting for the GOP nominee (2000 - 2012)
11, 11, 10, 7 (% identifying as Dems 39, 37, 39, 38)

Republicans (%) voting for the Dem nominee (2000 - 2012)
8, 6, 9, 6 (% identifying as GOP 35, 37, 32, 32)

There's not many political gains left in appealing to the base (other than getting them to turn out, aka the GOP in '08 and '12).

cf:
1988 Dems for Bush = 17%
1984 Dems for Reagan = 26%
1980 Dems for Reagan = 27%

Appeals to the Center? It's Arithmetic.

[Armstead]

1. First of all the word is "centrism" not "centerism"

Centrism is a distinct term. It is used in many ways, but as it is defined in reference to Democratic politics it often has a very distinct connotation.

It is not moderate liberal. It is not about finding the true "center" of the spectrum. That is largely a smokescreen. (The center is always an elusive, and very subjective, thing to define. In reality, most people consider the "center" to be whatevrr they personally believe in.)

For the last three decades, centrism in the Democratic Party is about actively pushing policies that are in league with the elite status quo. It is about pushing for corporate interests.

It is about actively REFUTING the basics of liberalism and progressive policies. It is about pushing "the center" as far to the righjt as the powerful think they can get away with.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Very well said.

nt