tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.comments2023-04-20T23:23:08.705-07:00NeoMugwumpDennis Sandershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06115504318620722199noreply@blogger.comBlogger374125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-15881316827210191702011-07-25T02:47:52.030-07:002011-07-25T02:47:52.030-07:00I agree that there was much of a myth that many mo...I agree that there was much of a myth that many moderates believed, but some of us were just happy to have a guy who would stand up to the far-wing of his own party and who would cross the aisle when utter stupidity was holding things up. McCain was that man and that was no myth.<br /><br />If moderates and centrists are looking for their own ideological purity test, well good luck finding someone to support, if, however, they can content themselves with someone who will cut through a lot of partisan crap like McCain did, they might have more luck.Leonidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036778180409322463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-13117995099736511102011-06-27T13:27:15.503-07:002011-06-27T13:27:15.503-07:00I think they can still be a power in more local el...I think they can still be a power in more local elections (senate, reps, etc). The presidency seems to be producing more and more candidates in a very specific mold.Mike Dwyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00741136015944133141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-24087453731301086252011-04-09T14:16:26.105-07:002011-04-09T14:16:26.105-07:00One certainly needs to recognize that Utah is not ...One certainly needs to recognize that Utah is not Arizona. One state sits on the border, the other is removed by quite some distance.<br /><br />A one size fits all approach may not work due to such obvious differences.Leonidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00036778180409322463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-68964914910338943052011-03-24T08:31:19.425-07:002011-03-24T08:31:19.425-07:00Neomugwump,
My name is Bill Hawthorne and I am a...Neomugwump,<br /><br /><br />My name is Bill Hawthorne and I am a political blogger. Just had a question about your blog and couldn’t find an email—please get back to me as soon as you can (barbaraobrien(at)maacenter.org)<br /><br />Thanks,<br />BillBill Hawthornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17899793626412072727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-75445102428034274442010-12-21T12:59:14.437-08:002010-12-21T12:59:14.437-08:00I don't give out exact numbers, you can check ...I don't give out exact numbers, you can check out these external services that measure that kind of thing:<br /><br />http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/riseofthecenter.com#<br /><br />http://siteanalytics.compete.com/riseofthecenter.com/<br /><br />Alexa seems higher than it should be, and Compete is a bit low. With the search ads I have up, I actually lose a bit of money each month on the site. Not the Daily Beast or anything, haha, but we're growing.<br /><br />Don't wanna dog on Big Tent, I'm actually a fan. You wouldn't be making a mistake if you went either way I don't think. They're more moderate republican/conservative there, while I'm putting together a team that ranges from moderate liberal to moderate conservative, and centrist independents of course.Solomon Kleinsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14331941231942740033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-86032169820712498152010-12-18T15:42:51.054-08:002010-12-18T15:42:51.054-08:00what's the traffic numbers like?
P.S. any com...what's the traffic numbers like?<br /><br />P.S. any comment on DADT repeal?Paul Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092023794397583036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-22441664788134600442010-12-18T12:43:40.325-08:002010-12-18T12:43:40.325-08:00Not to throw a wrench in your thinking process her...Not to throw a wrench in your thinking process here, but I'd be interested in having a right leaner join the team at Rise of the Center.Solomon Kleinsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14331941231942740033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-9897013548776925902010-11-22T21:00:45.235-08:002010-11-22T21:00:45.235-08:00It makes you wonder where the middle ground got to...It makes you wonder where the middle ground got to. Where did all the moderates really go? Not to the Democrats, otherwise they'd have done better in 2010... maybe the moderates are fleeing the political struggle altogether, which is far worse...Paul Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13092023794397583036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-76706712913023885932010-10-27T06:49:06.961-07:002010-10-27T06:49:06.961-07:00Mead thinks that the way forward is a kind of gove...Mead thinks that the way forward is a kind of governing libertarianism ( my words); <b>a government that would free the economy to encourage small businesses to flourish, using the marketplace to provide social services like health care and providing an affordable plan to rebuild America's infrastructure.</b><br /><br />Ok, I'll bite - how do we do this exactly? Many republicans would argue they tried to do just that under Mr. Bush 43, and many demoicrats would argue that is why we're in the Great Recession? How do you free the marketplace to do these socially good things without some sort of regulatory model that force sthe actors to, in fact, do socially good things?Philip H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12049875206738422083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-9727265242303280902010-09-20T16:39:15.609-07:002010-09-20T16:39:15.609-07:00Couldn't agree more. There is some hope
for ...Couldn't agree more. There is some <a href="http://www.themoderaterepublican.com/2010/09/return-of-middle.html" rel="nofollow">hope</a><br /><br /> for moderates.steve p bradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16911705408884923123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-37515162369141723442010-08-18T11:15:02.989-07:002010-08-18T11:15:02.989-07:00I don't know that I'm against what Target ...I don't know that I'm against what Target is doing. If you think about it, a pro-business is likely to make some progress that Target can appreciate. However, it's unlikely that this guy's anti-homosexual beliefs will make negative changes. He may prevent progress in certain areas, but progress has been slow in that arena anyway.<br /><br />I do agree with your assessment of pro-LGBT groups, however. You can't simply attack every group that appears to do something against you without allowing that group even the chance to make amends. Sadly, I would compare this to how the black community pulls the racism card far too often. Not everything is racially motivated. Additionally, Target was most likely making a pro-business decision, not an anti-gay decision. Don't pull the bigotry card without at least applying some common sense. Hopefully, there hasn't been any real damage done to Target's, thus far, pro-gay business operations.Steven A Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885988960946197291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-21485512766817965012010-08-17T21:33:45.418-07:002010-08-17T21:33:45.418-07:00I have pretty mixed feelings about this but I have...I have pretty mixed feelings about this but I haven't parsed them out in as sophisticated a manner as you have. I watched a video of what was called a flash mob but I would call a highly choreographed protest at a Target store. As far as I can tell here is why it bothers me. First they call it a flash mob. Second, if you are going to plan and choreograph a totally awesome protest, that's your right, but it should be outside of the store, not inside, in my opinion.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06792390518995346822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-36509112472209496312010-08-12T09:42:52.775-07:002010-08-12T09:42:52.775-07:00There are two major factors that these conservativ...There are two major factors that these conservatives are missing in advocating this war against Islam.<br />1. We definitely shouldn't attack a single religion. If you consider that most of these conservatives are Christian, you'd think they would be against a religious based attack. Both to protect themselves from the same, and to prevent the viewpoint that it's a religious war they want.<br /><br />2. We can't fight a war against Islam. There are Muslims in almost every country in the world, including ours. The more the American government attacks Islam as a whole, the more they endanger our populace, both at home and abroad. There simply isn't enough people in the our nations military and police forces to protect every American everywhere.<br /><br />By attacking and singling out one religious group these Republicans are giving up the moral high ground and opening themselves up to attack from other groups who have been patiently waiting for a weak link in the armor to appear.Steven A Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885988960946197291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-54965627224882040622010-08-10T19:32:50.072-07:002010-08-10T19:32:50.072-07:00First, I haven't been reading your blog very l...First, I haven't been reading your blog very long, so I had no idea you were gay. So, let me say that you are a very brave man. Writing a moderate conservative blog as a black gay man married to a white man...that takes some cajones!<br /><br />Second, congrats on your marriage! I have no idea how long ago it was, but still congrats.<br /><br />Third, I've noticed that many conservatives carry their cultural prejudices over from their religion. However, their religion, Christianity, has carried it's cultural prejudices over from an earlier time period. There isn't really a biblical basis for denying gay marriage or being prejudiced against gays. <br /><br />"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, and that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16<br /><br />There is no mention of sexual orientation there. So, Christianity simply requires belief and faith. In fact, I don't remember the verse, but the Bible also states that "we are saved by grace, through faith, not works, lest any man should boast." So, it's clear that the only thing important to God is faith. Again, not sexual orientation.<br /><br />Additionally, if there is any harm to our society from gay marriage, it's certainly less than the harm caused by divorce and single parenting. Many times, in our great country, people are divorced for selfish reasons, completely disregarding the effect this has on their children, while at the same time decrying the harm that gay marriage is doing to our society! <br /><br />And women who chose to be single parents are just as bad. It never occurs to them to think that there is a reason they are still single, and whatever that reason is might be enough to make them a bad parent, if not an outright unfit one.<br /><br />So, in my honest opinion, there is no biblical basis to shun gay marriage. And, given the higher rate of successful marriages among the homosexual population vs. the heterosexual population, a lifelong gay couple may be preferable to the parents who are divorced, once or more, during the childrens childhoods.Steven A Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885988960946197291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-80139861253003174552010-07-27T19:44:41.469-07:002010-07-27T19:44:41.469-07:00I'm not following this race closely, but do th...I'm not following this race closely, but do these PPP surveys poll registered voters or likely voters? Also, given the survey margin of error in both polls (probably somewhere between 3-5%), I didn't see a runaway race either way. Looks tight to me, which allegedly has gotten tighter.<br /><br />Public Policy Polling is a liberal polling group, which should've been noted in the piece. How does the PPP poll stack up to other polls done on this race? Does this trend of moderate aversion show up across polls done by various entities?Shay Rileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01303640395859646326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-68585569350789211742010-07-24T19:11:15.805-07:002010-07-24T19:11:15.805-07:00I have faith in our political system that eventual...I have faith in our political system that eventually the GOP or some other conservative party will be that reformed conservatism that you and I are looking for. <br /><br />I always felt that 2008 wasn't enough to get rid of all the bad influences and extreme talking points on the right. I had hoped that it would reform but didn't think it would.<br /><br />No I feel that politics is cyclical, it will take a couple Mondale like thrashing and wandering into the wilderness for sane conservatism to come back. Maybe like liberals will we come out with a new name, maybe ironically classical liberals (or just plain libertarians). <br /><br />But whatever it is, I just can't see this country staying as it is, demographics and even ideologically the data says it won't. And no I don't believe in a permanent majority of any party. Eventually things change.<br /><br />But that change might not be for decades and frankly that sucks for you and I. <br /><br />All you can do is try to speak your views and vote for whoever you feel best represents them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10006371812329300374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-85768602478272815492010-06-30T23:34:04.009-07:002010-06-30T23:34:04.009-07:00All of the good and necessary reasons for his cand...All of the good and necessary reasons for his candidacy are, of course, the exact reasons why he will not get past South Carolina in the primaries. We haven't hit rock bottom yet the way we did in 1964.Burt Likkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16060980744675990412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-70095613099233653332010-06-24T21:00:13.681-07:002010-06-24T21:00:13.681-07:00I think it's just all cyclical. We had Democra...I think it's just all cyclical. We had Democratic dominance before which eventually led to Republican dominance. <br /><br />The 70s and 80s Democrats were very much like today's Republicans. Out of touch and clinging to old ideas and old heroes. Republicans used a strategy of consolidation. Their were way more conservatives in the Democratic party than liberals in the GOP. <br /><br />It was effective even if the end results haven't always been pretty. <br /><br />I personally as a political junkie I look forward to the change. I personally see the GOP offering a very unelectable nominee in 2012. It may take quite awhile for a new GOP to emerge maybe in the meantime we will get in Eisenhower or the GOP version of Clinton. A more moderate president who has to work with the other side. <br /><br />As much as people talk about the GOP permanent minority it banks on the Democratic coalition staying together. There a lot of competing interests that I don't think can stay together forever, especially if the are dominant. This includes progressives, blue dogs, Black and Hispanic Caucuses. If Hispanics do becoming as much as 30% of this country they will (rightfully)demand more power of the Dems. Will that upset the other groups? Not sure, will Hispanics stay monolithic like the Black Caucus? These are the million dollar questions.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04438239861751316318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-42278563462163314452010-06-23T11:18:00.127-07:002010-06-23T11:18:00.127-07:00RED FLAG WARNING TO ALL AMERICANS AND LEGAL RESIDE...RED FLAG WARNING TO ALL AMERICANS AND LEGAL RESIDENTS:<br /><br />ON MONDAY, a number of Senators led by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) Sen. Hatch (R-Utah), Vitter (R-La.), Bunning (R-Ky.), Chambliss (R-Ga.), Isaakson (R-Ga.), Inhofe (R-Okla.), Cochran (R-Miss.) demanded answers of a possible plan by the White House to provide an Amnesty to the nation's estimated 11-18 million illegal aliens through an executive order. The move would take immigration enforcement out of the hands of Congress and place it in the hands of the Executive Branch. Call, Fax, Email or see your Members of Congress at (202) 224-3121 to express your outrage at Pres. Obama's plan to provide Amnesty through Executive Order. READ THE LETTER SENT TO PRESIDENT OBAMA BY THESE LAWMAKERS AT NumbersUSA. Already over 112.000 faxes have been sent by irate Citizens-legal residents to legislators throughout the country.Brittanicushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15971352404374602334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-16448031718643836782010-06-09T09:42:00.567-07:002010-06-09T09:42:00.567-07:00Beats me why LCR didn't support Berry. But it...Beats me why LCR didn't support Berry. But it was certainly a boneheaded move on their part.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04197758698503864646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-35008794407960216992010-06-08T20:32:29.546-07:002010-06-08T20:32:29.546-07:00And why did LCR oppose the gay candidate in Va 8?And why did LCR oppose the gay candidate in Va 8?Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05968315519418877272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-54946159262312896952010-06-08T10:08:37.073-07:002010-06-08T10:08:37.073-07:00Not sure I agree with you Gay Conservative. Tom C...Not sure I agree with you Gay Conservative. Tom Campbell is someone who can win in November. He would be a solid center-right Republican. His election would help move the party to the center on gay issues. In total, I would argue that a Tom Campbell victory would be better for the country, for fiscal conservatives, and for those us of us who believe in a tolerant GOP. Fiorina probably won't win against Boxer, will re-inforce the GOP's intolerant attitude towards gays and wouldn't be that much more conservatie with Campbell in any case. Campbell seems like the clear choice.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04197758698503864646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-10503958657547324652010-06-07T23:14:43.344-07:002010-06-07T23:14:43.344-07:00Whether or not a candidate supports same sex marri...Whether or not a candidate supports same sex marriage is not a top priority. Someone who will stand up to the liberals and oppose their tax increases is what's needed in DC. We don't need anybody who's wishy-washy on taxes, but supports gay marriage.<br /><br />If we can get one who is both, why so much the better.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05968315519418877272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-42105032896375519112010-05-29T21:18:02.991-07:002010-05-29T21:18:02.991-07:00Dennis - no hard feelings taken or directed your w...Dennis - no hard feelings taken or directed your way - trust me. I like criticism. My response is more explanatory than reactionary (I hope!). I certainly have tacked left, no doubt.<br /><br />My main exasperation with Noonan is that I expect more out of her than the drivel in her last piece. That nonsense - because it was from her and not Andy McCarthy - is why I wrote the 'wingnut' post.E.D. Kainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07883664120993134334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21079623.post-27875292306186166672010-05-20T14:04:11.343-07:002010-05-20T14:04:11.343-07:00It always seems to me that those who are complaini...It always seems to me that those who are complaining loudest are the descendants (either directly or culturally) of the elite minority of educated, white, landed men. It is true, those few had significant liberties back then. Life for those few was better in some respects than what their descendants now experience. The problem is that because of their "inheritance" they are wearing blinders. The can only "see" how life was for the privileged few, and are completely oblivious to the plights of women, Blacks, Asians, and others who lived around those few.John Kustershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02582932677156369638noreply@blogger.com