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'Moderate' Tag Poses Dilemma for Democrats

It generally means 'conservative,' making everyone else a 'liberal'

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 11, 2009 11:39 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The label “moderate Democrat” has been thrown around a lot lately, but it’s usually affixed to the party’s most conservative members, Politico reports. That’s a linguistic dilemma for the rest of the party, since anyone left-of-center is suddenly a “liberal” by comparison—a term still recovering from Ronald Reagan’s scorn. “Voters need shorthand,” says one Democratic strategist, but “Democrats who use the ‘moderate’ label just position the party as something it’s not.”

“What you don’t want to do is to give the Republicans the fodder to say, ‘Yeah, we’ve got these moderate Democrats with us—and then we’ve got these leftists and socialists like Obama,” says one political psychology expert. “This would be a great time for Evan Bayh to say, ‘I’m a conservative Democrat.’” Though the term wouldn’t play well in every district, it would solve the “moderate” problem and broaden the party’s appeal.

Harry Reid hailed Arlen Specter as a moderate voice for the Democratic party.
Harry Reid hailed Arlen Specter as a "moderate voice" for the Democratic party.   (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Barack Obama shakes hands with Evan Bayh after Bayh in 2008.
Barack Obama shakes hands with Evan Bayh after Bayh in 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Heath Shuler, U.S. congressman from North Carolina, sees himself as a moderate Democrat. He has a conservative voting record within the party.
Heath Shuler, U.S. congressman from North Carolina, sees himself as a moderate Democrat. He has a conservative voting record within the party.   (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 21 comments
justme
Jul 12, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
Good response. Anyone who can't listen (really listen) to the other side is a stooge for whatever their particular politician says. We have followed too many politicians down too many bad roads. That includes Dems' Republicans, " Knownothings" and a host of others.
armywife
Jul 12, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
NObama2010 - you seem unaware that your definition of fascist supports jonmarkP's (and my) view that the current republican party more accurately fits that description: bush's administration gave unprecedented control to the executive branch, making bush/cheney the closest thing to an authoritarian leadership with total power that we've had since...ever. the current republican party also dragged us into two wars (aggressive nationalism) and is rabidly fighting gay civil rights and while that is not technically racist, it is propigating intolerance and prejudice, as racism does. it is admirable that you support a smaller, less intrusive government, but you should realize that your current republican party does not share your desire - they've abandoned the smaller govt platform - bush and his ilk grew government, they didnt shrink it. and while dems have not historically been the "small government" party, the republican party isnt anymore either. wake up and smell the coffee. you guys want smaller government from your GOP - then DEMAND it and tell them to dump these social issues which make a mockery out the traditional republican party value of staying OUT of citizens private lives.
freethemall
Jul 12, 2009 2:39 AM CDT
Well said, Mad!

 
Barack Obama • Democrat • congressional Democrats • Evan Bayh • moderate • Blue Dog Democrats

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