Centerfield

Utterly, totally, completely on target.

It's often paired with corollary observations, such as:

The political spectrum has shifted, so that those currently called "moderates" are what used to be on the opposite (i.e. wrong) side of the spectrum. And those who used to be called "moderates" are now cozied up with us on the "correct" side of the aisle.

Thus, they can claim that moderates are bad -- e.g., really batting for the other team -- and that their side of the aisle represents true moderation. A nifty twofer!

Just read the rest of his piece, and I don't know that I've encountered a more eloquent single explanation or defense of a certain brand of centrism that he calls "militant moderation".

I think it's pretty close to what I often call "bold centrism".

He's right, and he's also an outstanding writer. I wonder if we can find ways to get this piece in front of more people.

Let's try asking...I'm willing to beg! He just got the blog started--I sincerely hope he keeps right on rolling.

I found it via Joe Gandleman.

Cool. I left a message in his comments section, and also added his post as one of our "Hot Topics" links at the Centrist Coalition site.

What would be really cool is if he were picked up by some of the more popular left or right blogs -- particularly the more reasonable ones like Kevin Drum or Tacitus.

I appreciate the (very) positive feedback and hope I can continue to live up to these kinds of reviews! :)

I'm fairly prolific in writing and hope to be able to contribute more broadly in the future. I'm very happy to see things distributed around and I would be quite thrilled is I were asked to write opinion or comment pieces anywhere.

Hey ... welcome!

We'd be more than happy to post any of your writings here, if you like. Email me at wswann@mindleaders.com, and I can send you a logon and password.

There also might be other opportunities out there either in blog-land or traditional op-ed land to write from a centrist perspective. I've often wondered why there aren't at least a few columnists with an overtly centrist perspective. John Avlon is doing that in his New York Sun column, and you have guys like David Broder, who is generally centrist -- but, on the whole, very few actually argue overtly that moderate or centrist politics is the right direction.

I've only read a few of your pieces, but you seem to have the skills for something like that.

Really well written stuff, on target, well said. A welcome addition to the ranks.

You know there is a value to partisan politics. For one thing, it helps keep corruption down, b/c both sides will be quick to point out the other's corruption. And they will press for thorough investigations. Centrism is a good starting-point, but it should never be a final destination. Look, there are real differences btw liberals and conservatives, right and left, that cannot be compromised without compromising valuable principles.

Bo,

I think the kind of "militant moderate" philosophy Tutakai is advocating isn't necessarily a compromise of valuable principles. It's more of an acknowledgement that good ideas can come from both the right and the left, and that contrasting and weighing both perspectives will likely yield a more comprehensive and honest analysis. At least that's my take on it.