Could a Future Centrist Party Ever Exist in the USA

Could a Centrist Party ever be created in the USA that was not too far right for the Democrats or too far left for the Republicians? It appears that both current politicial parties are leading us down the rosy path to destruction. The Independent Party seems to lack definition or cohesiveness. Corporations and self-interests have co-opted all.

Great question.

Answer = no.

The two allegedly separate parties never seem to agree on anything.
Except keeping third parties out of the mix.

Originally posted by alttracks
Could a Centrist Party ever be created in the USA that was not too far right for the Democrats or too far left for the Republicians? It appears that both current politicial parties are leading us down the rosy path to destruction. The Independent Party seems to lack definition or cohesiveness. Corporations and self-interests have co-opted all.

You said Corporations and SELF interests -

Gee, I know who you are talking about, seems there are a few folks who taut a love for both. Maybe you should ask them... they are going to take back America you know.
They are not affiliated, they are just real deal Americans.

I could not be in a party with them although the idea of a viable third party is great.

I think it could, but it wouldn't be easy. I think most people are becoming more attracted to calm, clear and concise debate, as opposed to the shouting, mudslinging rhetoric of the past.

In order to have a platform to present ideas in such a manner would require ignoring the MSM. Forget Fox and CNN. The party would have to establish its own media outlet and require all claims to be backed up with evidence. Not just same old political tactic of throwing everything against the wall and see what sticks.

Both Republicans and Democrats are centrist, they just work for what their 'base' wants.

Obama is considered by unbiased parties as center left, his presidential record shows that. BUT, the far right consider him too leftist and the far left consider him not leftist enough. Not very popular with either base at this point.

Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) is a 'blue dog' democrat, too far right for the 'base' democrats too consider him such and too far left for the right to accept him. Not very popular with very many in Nebraska right now.

Newly elected senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) is considered far right by some of the base democrats, yet has some far left tendencies by those of the base right. Specific example: Abortion. Not popular with any democrat and not popular with a handful of republicans.

We already have two center parties, our problem is the multitude of fringe third parties. I offer you the chance to name one 'center' party.

reply to post by links234

our problem is the multitude of fringe third parties

And that is why these third party candidates receive such little support. However, if a candidate would not try to appease any particular spectrum and just honestly present his/her true "center" ideals and solutions, rather than just going for the five second sound byte, more people will listen.

Continuing to just spout off flat opposition or flat support of an ideal is stupid. Few people are that polarized on most issues and can see compromise. Most of us can think for ourselves, regardless of what the current pack of Washington wolves believe. A party that would listen to the people, rather than try to tell us what we really want, would be successful.

[edit on 26-1-2010 by WTFover]

NO! True centrists don't really exist. Obama campaigned as a centrist to get himself into the Oval Office but he was ignoring his true ideals in the process. We saw the reality of Obama when he started to appoint a plethora of like minded radical individuals to key Czar positions.

If Obama wants to be a successful One Term president with even a chance at a second term he his going to have to go AWOL on his ideals and actually work as a President that represents the majority of people in this country. Not the radicals that he hung around with in college and in Chicago.

Carter failed to see the light of this reality and he failed miserably.

Clearly, radicals exist on either side of our two party system. Unfortunately, with our current system everyone gets lumped into either party in one way or another.

We are a long way from a system that actually works effectively.

reply to post by WTFover

I agree with you about the media. Though, the vast majority of the US people fall into the middle between the two parties. Larger audience, larger ad revenue. Wouldn't it be in their self-interest to support the middle?
Of course, the media gets more audience when they can cause problems between both parties. I recall a song about this, can't remember the name though.
Even though I have tried to stay neutral on this issue, some individuals are already pushing their agenda. Dis-info agents maybe? Or, people who will only be happy if the US falls?
What I would like to see is some rational discussion about a "central" party.What positive ideas could be put forward? How could such a party exist in the current environment? Come on people, think conspiracy here, how could ATS members conspire to originate a new party?

[edit on 1/26/2010 by alttracks]

Originally posted by alttracks
Could a Centrist Party ever be created in the USA that was not too far right for the Democrats or too far left for the Republicians?

It wasn't terribly long ago that both major parties in this nation were far closer to the center than they are today. But as it currently stands, both the Republicans and the Democrats have seen their parties suffer attempted hijackings by extremists... the neocons on the right and the progressives on the left.

The closest thing we have had to a centrist president in recent memory was in Dwight Eisenhower, from 1953 to 1960. In fact, here's one of his more memorable quotes on just this subject:

"People talk about the middle of the road as though it were unacceptable. Actually, all human problems, excepting morals, come into the gray areas. Things are not all black and white. There have to be compromises. The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters."

Well, it does seem that we have been wallowing in the gutters for quite some time now... and there isn't any great hope of climbing out of them on the near horizons.

A third party built on moderation would be a great thing... but I am not holding my breath. Today's electorate is the reflection of three decades of education cuts, political correctness and extremist propaganda from both far wings. I suspect it will take an equal sum of time to get things squared away again... even if there is any tendency towards that goal.

...

reply to post by alttracks

Wouldn't it be in their self-interest to support the middle?
Of course, the media gets more audience when they can cause problems between both parties.

This is because the "news" has become more about entertainment and less about "news". This is easily discernible as the analysis and opinion shows dominate the primetime slots, when more viewers are available.

Also, (and I have no data to back this up, it's just speculation) the "centrists" are sick of hearing the constant bickering of the left vs. right, D vs. R, so they don't even make up a significant number in the ratings. The target audience has become the far left, for some shows, and the far right, for others. Mostly.

I am with you not to hot not to cold. We are constantly being pulled by them both ways and the sad thing is the lead us to the same place. I hate to say it but I think it mostly to do with the progressive movement. I consider it good vs. evil or freedoms vs. oligarchy.