The moderate, centrist elite does not speak for moderate voters

[ProSense]

Greg Sargent

* The moderate, centrist elite does not speak for moderate voters: My pick for read of the morning is this piece by Politico’s Glenn Thrush, which gently skewers the caterwauling of the moderate elite (Mark Penn, David Brooks) about Obama’s new populist approach.

With the claim gaining currency that Obama’s jobs bill and push to hike high end taxes are all about appealing to the base, and are certain to further alienate independents and moderates, it’s worth reiterating that the use of terms like “moderate” and “centrist” by such opinionnmakers is entirely arbitrary. They have nothing to do with where the center of public opinion, if such a place even exists, actually lies.

As Thrush puts it, saying what must never be said in polite centrist company:

Polls show the major components of the plan, particularly the tax hikes on families earning $250,000 or more — and the “Buffett tax” on millionaires, polls well with all voters, including swing state independents.

This happens to be true. Key takeaway: Self-proclaimed centrist and moderate opinionmakers and pollster types do not speak for moderate voters.

Penn, Brooks and Third Way (mentioned in Thrush's piece) are simply pissed that things aren't going the GOP's way.

[ClassWarrior]

1. "The use of terms like 'moderate' and 'centrist'... is entirely arbitrary..."

"...if such a place even exists."

See the Professor:

No Center, No Centrists
by George Lakoff

"Centrism" is the creation of an inaccurate self-serving metaphor, and it is time to bury it.

There is no left to right linear spectrum in the American political life. There are two systems of values and modes of thought -- call them progressive and conservative (or nurturant and strict, as I have). There are total progressives, who use a progressive mode of thought on all issues. And total conservatives. And there are lots of folks who are what I've called "biconceptuals": progressive on certain issue areas and conservative on others. But they don't form a linear scale. They are all over the place: progressive on domestic policy, conservative on foreign policy; conservative on economic policy, progressive on foreign policy and social issues; conservative on religion, but progressive on social issues and foreign policy; and on and on. No linear scale. No single set of values defining a "center." Indeed many of such folks are not moderate in their views; they can be quite passionate about both their progressive and conservative views.

Barack Obama has it right: Get rid of the very idea of the right and the left and the center. American ideas are fundamentally progressive ideas -- the ideas this country was founded on and that carry forth that spirit. Progressives care about people and the earth, and act with responsibility and strength on that care...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-lakoff/no-center-no-centrists_b_60419.html

NGU.

[Armstead]

2. Pigs are flying....

I'm wholeheartedly agreeing with one of your posts

[ClassWarrior]

3. +1

NGU.

[ProSense]

4. Oh

"Pigs are flying....I'm wholeheartedly agreeing with one of your posts"

...the drama.

[Mr Deltoid]

6. Err..

"...the drama"

um, so, well, eh...

[ProSense]

7. Hmmm?

"um, so, well, eh..."

Well said!

[Mr Deltoid]

8. Huh?

"Well said!"

Er, um...oh, never mind!!

[Armstead]

9. Yawn

You're sooooo predictable.

One can't even agree with you without getting a snarky reply....yawn....zzzzzzzzzzz

[Honeycombe8]

5. I don't like labels. But I guess I'm a moderate. I'm also an Independent.

I'm an independent who followed Obama from the start, contributed to his campaign, and then voted for him. I vote mainly for Democrats, but I'm not a Democrat. I'm a progressive in a couple of areas, conservative in a couple of areas, but fall just left of center in most areas.

Soooooo....here's what I think. I want something to be done about the extreme unemployment. I don't know what needs to be done. But millionaires and billionaires paying a less % in income tax, for whatever reason, is on its face WRONG, and anyone with common sense would know that contributes to the problem. I also want a plan that is based on some facts, some objective thinking, and the desire to really help. I think that is what Obama's plan is. It may help, it may not. But we have to do SOMETHING. People are suffering, people are losing their retirement savings, the economy is collapsing.

At least I think that Obama's plan is based on some facts, some serious consideration of the complex problem. I think Halperin and others are FLAT WRONG to think that Independents won't like the "populist" plan. We, the people, don't think of it as a populist plan. It's a plan that is trying to help the economy and the people who are nosediving into poverty. Of COURSE it's going to involve the POPULATION. What reasonable plan would not involve the bulk of the people? The GOP's plan to lessen taxes on the super wealthy, that's what plan.