Never Let Conservatives Own The Word "Moderate"

Corporate whores are not "moderates." They're corporate whores

The other day I had an off-the-record lunch with one of California's top political leaders, an effective liberal who wields tremendous power in Sacramento. During the conversation he kept referring to the corrupt conservative Democrats in the legislature as "moderates." At one point, I interrupted him-- and this is a formidable guy not used to being interrupted-- and said "If you keep referring to these conservatives as 'moderates,' what does that make you and your ideas? Radicals? Extremists? Don't let them own that word; it isn't accurate; in fact, it's very misleading."

The expression on his face changed from annoyance at being interrupted to sudden realization. "You're right," he said. He never used the word "moderate" again when describing Sacramento conservative Democrats.

I keep coming back to that here at DWT. That poll USA Today published by Suffolk University yesterday shows why. When asked to describe their political view point, look at how the biggest chunk of voters refer to themselves: moderate.

But polling has consistently shown that these are the same people who want tough, sensible restrictions of guns, who want single-payer healthcare, who want fair taxes that make the 1% pay more-- not less-- and that, in general, support the progressive policy agenda espoused by Bernie... and by my lunch companion.

That same Suffolk poll saw 36.6% of respondents indemnify themselves as Democrats, 31.6% admit to being Republicans and 27.3% identify as independents-- so 58.9% Dems and independents. And what percentage has an unfavorable view of Trump? 56.6%. What percent has an unfavorable view of the Republican Party? 62.0%. What percent disapproves of the job Trump is doing on healthcare? 64.7%. What percent disapproves of the job Trump is doing on foreign policy? 57.4%.

Another question was stated like this: "President Trump has criticized the players who have protested and called on NFL owners to fire them and for fans to walk out. Is it appropriate for President Trump to make these comments-- yes or no?" 68.0% of registered voters say NO.

Or take this one: "The Senate recently failed in the latest effort to repeal and replace
Obamacare. Which comes closest to your view"

• Congress should leave Obamacare alone- 14.3%
• Congress should fix the problems with Obamacare, but leave its framework intact- 44.9%
• Congress should repeal Obamacare, but only when another healthcare plan is ready to replace it- 25.6%
• Congress should repeal Obamacare even if the replacement isn’t ready yet- 10.9%

Where do the "moderates" stand? Undoubtably in every instance, with the liberals and against the conservatives. It just confuses voters when we allow conservatives to appropriate the term "moderate" for themselves. Their world view is not moderate and their approach to legislating is not moderate. Conservatives should always be called what they are, "conservatives." If you don't like that word, refer to them as "right-of-center" or "right-wing."

Paul Wellstone, and later Howard Dean, used to call progressives "the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party." You know what that makes conservative Democrats? "The Republican wing of the Democratic Party." That seems appropriate.