How do you all feel about Centrist?

[patchdickens]

I have a friend that I believe fits into this category but I still like him very much and respect his views.

[DarkPhenyx]

1. They have a much clearer view on reality...

...than the polar ends of the political spectrum.

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. Some times they are the voice of reason when

those on the ends of the politcal spectrum can't get together on any issue.

[Deja Q]

3. How do you feel about applesauce?

Most of us will make glib generalizations from time to time. It's human nature because I've lurked at the repuke sites and they can be just as glib.

I've made my share of them as well.

What people need to do is to analyze and deliberate on a issue-by-issue basis.

I agree with Centrists on a few things, but generally not at all.

I agree with Republicans on a few things, but generally not at all.

It's just easy for people to get caught up in their surroundings. Well, usually, I was one of the few who suggested caution with the whole "white chair" nonsense... Could go either way, all I want is justice in this mess that's been created. I wouldn't be surprised if our own countrymen did it, but I'm not going to go around with my head cut off screaming "We did it!!" with no proof. But I digress...

That's a very bold question for you to ask...

[patchdickens]

11. why do you feel that it is bold?

Its just a question.

[wyldwolf]

4. not easily defined

Some here view Bill Clinton as a centrist but I still like Bill and respect his views.

Damn right!

[rucky]

5. What do they believe in?

[patchdickens]

10. well

they do not lean one way or the other, usually. My friend feels strongly about somethings but has feeling re: the other side. In my eyes, I view him as diplomatic. He can see both sides and also that in the middle!!!

[bigbillhaywood]

6. Wouldn't necessarily have a problem with centrists other than the fact

that currently this country's political center is pretty far to the right.

[Classical_Liberal]

7. Don't have a problem with them so long as they are not

corporate centrists or dlcers.

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. Centrists are fine. Neocons poing as centrists are not.

And it ain't the real centrists running the DLC.

Example: When Hillary Clinton gives Junior's bold face LIE about Iraq being part of the war on terror a standing ovation that is NOT centrism. Nor is the fucking bullshit spewed daily by Lieberman, Bayh, Biden, and others. They are appeasing the dictator.

And then you have literal PNAC traitors like Will Marshall who should be on death row for treason against the United States of America, NOT writing John Kerry's fucking foreign policy (the so called "progressive internationalism", which is, in fact, neither.

As I have said, and will continue to say, the DLC is a cancer that will kill this party if it is not cut out. :grr:

[KG]

9. oatmeal.

[freetobegay]

12. Well as a centrist I have no problem at all & feel they are the

salvation of the Democratic party.

& yes I am wearing my flame retardant suit!

[patchdickens]

15. you have no reason to

wear that flame retardant suit. I am sure your views are diplomatic.
I really wish we could get someone into office that had that characteristic. Right wing, left wing? We need someone that has this countries best interest at heart. (I may now be burned at the stake, for typing this!!!)

[corporatewhore]

13. we need to get back to the center by taking a left turn

what passes as centrist in this country is way out to the right in europe and hell there has been a sharp right turn in this country since RayGun i bet nixon would be labled a librul today

[vajraroshana]

14. I sometimes think that's the way I am too

But I frequently get a reality check by what is now called "the right" and realize that even though I have some rightward tendencies, they're really more libertarian tendencies that most leftists would agree with at least partially.

If I try to be objective, I realize that I would easily be labeled as far-far-far left to most of my fellow North Alabama citizens.

If I were a "card-carrying" anything it'd probably be something like: green-ecofeminist-anarchosyndacalist-libertarian-democrat, if there is such a thing! That's pretty centrist to me.

[patchdickens]

16. And I bet you have some

great views on many things...let me hear some of them. Hey guy, I from the south also...where we are from, its one way or the other way! You stay exactly the way you are! I am sure you are great!
Sooo..What part of AL A BAMA! are you from..I from GA!!!!

[vajraroshana]

21. North Alabama

Mostly Madison County. But also Marshall (you ever heard of Arab, Strawberry, Hog Jowl)? And I've got folks over in Etowah County, kinda near Georgia. My folks are from Rainbow City (near Gadsden), Etowah County.

We southerners may be a tad ignorant, but we ain't altogether stupid.

Don't discount us yet, fellow DUers.

I got many hardcore Baptist relatives that are pissed about being used politically. They're seeing what's going on. And their anger is slow and simmering. They know they've been played by the political theocrats; and they're fed up. Don't lose heart. These are some good people. Salt of the earth old fashioned Baptists. I can't believe I'm defending Baptists (considering some of the vile people that call themselves "baptists"), but I know my kinfolk and know that they're almost chomping at the bit to elect someone besides Bush. They really are. It probably won't happen in Alabama, but it's going to be closer than most people think. These are some of the folks who value the Beatitudes more than they value the Ten Commandments. They value "love". They have a sweet loving spirituality that doesn't get played on CNN or Fox. They've got queer family members like me, and they are just waiting to see our "gifts". Sweet, dear people. Trust me, they're seeing through the politicization of Christianity in droves -- it's part of their identity as "true" Baptists.

A lot of my family are rural Alabama Baptists from Etowah county, where the "Ten Commandment" judge, Roy Moore is from, and they were the first to see right through him (I've talked about this before here on this forum).

I think there is a groundswell going on of disillusioned Southern Baptists who are second-thinking their allegiance to the "right". Many, if not most, are definitely not going to vote for shrubya. I hope there's enough of them to make a difference in November!

(sorry for the rant; I'm sick of Alabamians being demonized, but I guess we all have it coming due to the few)

[TheWizardOfMudd]

17. Centrists BLOW for one simple reason, although more reasons exist

They nurture, promote and sustain the WAR ON DRUGS which wastes billions and billions of taxpayer dollars and needlessly wrecks the lives of American families, INCLUDING CHILDREN.

FUCK CENTRISTS AND THE DRUG WAR!

[patchdickens]

19. war on drugs should stop

..I think drugs should be legalized for more reasons than one. Our country could prosper so much if they would lift that band. Crime would lessen also.

[Solon]

18. I have no clue as to what they stand for...

A mystery to me, many are corporate apologists with what seems to me to be a blind faith in the "Free Market" whatever that is.

[Selwynn]

20. Why don't you define the term for me first.

[RafterMan]

22. I'm a "centrist", but only on average

My political philosophy is that Hamilton or Jefferson is a disaster, but Hamilton versus Jefferson is golden. Think about that before you dismiss it.

Since the Republicans have abdicated their position at the table of rational discourse, I'm siding with the Dems until the other party shapes up their act.

[lostnfound]

23. 'Centrist' in America or 'centrist' on a worldscale?

I like centrists just fine when I think about America in isolation, but when I put it in the context of the things that Arundhati Roy speaks of, centrism is all about creating 'MOTS misery'.

[tkmorris]

24. Knee-jerk reaction?

They are mainly all members of the flavor-of-the-month club. Poll watchers, not risk takers. They attempt to appease everyone and are afraid to take a stand, any stand. They are diplomatic to a fault, never blaming anyone for anything, and never truly praising anything either. They believe in nothing, except their own ability to be all things to all people. Wishy-washy. Charlie Brown was a centrist.

Hey, you asked. Of course there are people who truly fall somewhere right in the middle of the current political climate but even those people don't usually call themselves "centrist". They usually seem to have pet issues that they brook no argument on (abortion, gun regulation, etc) and so label themselves in some camp or another even though they posess other views that place them in the middle.

Also of course you have the problem of defining Centrism. Is there an objective center anyone can agree on? Or is it simply dead in the middle of the political landscape in your neighborhood? It seems quite obvious to me that what is "center" in the United States would be rather far to the right anywhere else on the planet. Thus what you might call a centrist might be called a corporate fascist elsewhere. Most people aware enough of politics and world affairs to really have an opinion are aware of this conundrum and are careful to compensate for it.

When I hear a politician here in the States call him/herself a "Centrist" my reaction is to assume that they are trying to reach out to both sides of the debate in an attempt to win an election. It never seems to have much to do with their personal stance on given issues, and this can usually be verified by their failure to take ANY firm stance on an issue. No, these people have no real message aside from "I don't want to piss anyone off" and "vote for me, politicking is all I know how to do". They want to be elected, nothing more and nothing less and they really don't care about the issues at all. Politics is a career to them, and playing the game well is the measure of success.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it. Unless it's unpopular, then I'll change sides like a good Centrist should :evilgrin: