David Broder–or an automated David Broderesque column-generator–bemoaned once again (Washington Post, 10/14/10) that “As the Gulf Between GOP and Democrats Widens, the Center Is Lost.” To illustrate this dire situation, Broder (or the Broderbot) cited congressional voting patterns:
Bill Galston, the Brookings Institution’s resident political philosopher, was the first of the day to point out that, statistically speaking, the center had already disappeared. He was referring to the congressional voting studies, which I have previously cited, showing that, apparently for the first time, there is no overlap between the most liberal Republican in the House and the most conservative Democrat when it comes to roll-call votes.
Historically, there have always been a few Republicans who voted often with the Democrats and a few more Democrats who lined up regularly with the Republicans. But now the ideological lines are more sharply drawn, and the distance between the parties is greater.
The phenomenon of party polarization is not brand new, though–Broder is referring to VoteView, a mathematical model that arranges lawmakers by how often they vote together, producing a scale that corresponds to the left/right spectrum. It’s been finding that every House Republican has been to the right of every House Democrat since 2003. Before that, in the 107th Congress, there was one Democratic representative who voted to the right of several Republicans: James Traficant, who is best remembered for being expelled from the House after being convicted of bribery, racketeering and tax evasion. If only we had more politicians like him….
The fact is that the era of “bipartisanship” that Broder is so nostalgic for was a reflection of the fact that the Democratic Party once had, for historical and tactical reasons, a sizable number of conservative segregationists in it. After the battle for state-enforced segregation was lost, these conservatives drifted to their natural home in the Republican Party. Looking back on a time when urban liberals campaigned under the same banner as Southern racists as some kind of golden age is rather perverse–even for the Broderbot.
nostalgia is not what it used to be.
Well, nothing can be done at this point about the execrable Broder. He’s always been bad, but incredibly he’s gotten much, much worse over the last few years. While I don’t ever wish a swift death upon anyone (not even “Big” Dick Cheney), I am looking forward to Broder’s demise–in a gentlemanly sort of way, since we all deserve to live, and live as we see fit–in order to watch, amazed and sickened and appalled, as everyone from Barack Obama to Newt Gingrich to the afore-mentioned Cheney declare what a great and personable fellow the great Broder was. An esteemed journalist, a man who always fought the good fight, and never cared where the chips fell. A truth-teller, and an honest man (like Tim Russert!). I await the day when the Great Bell tolls for D.B., so we can all really appreciate how both sides of the aisle loved him–a true inside-the-beltway servant.
I have noticed that when” Rs”vote with the left- they are considered” inclusive,intelligent,mavericks…..who promptly get voted down and out(McCain).For the patronizing stupidity of going against their core values to go along to get along with the other side of the isle it hardly seems worth it.As Clinton said …politics is a blood sport.The right has I think changed more than the left . As the left has moved hard left the Conservative voice has kicked back hard right.You will notice politics or more correctly people, tend to move toward the center.We are experiencing a correction.
Ps; Madam Polo speaker face- and her voting block has no conservative voice included in their little recipe for advancement of progressive ideals.She has completely removed all input from the other side of the isle(and often the Americans peoples voice).And Rhinos on the Right are finally …finallly….finally being hunted.THey muddied the waters, and their parties clarity in the arena of ideas for too long.Lapp dogs plain and simple.The problem with America is not a lack of ideas, or historical perspective, or bipartisanship.It is that our elected leaders have ignored these lessons.The election are not one iota about bi part agreement.It is about removing this unhealthy regime and embracing the differences that were so cloaked during the last election. .Period! Socialists Marxists,Capitalists,hybrids ,stand up and be proud.Let us SEE you.I a sense America has seen and decided…A good left deserves and demands a good right in return.
I don’t know how anyone can say that the Democrats have moved to the far Left. Democrats do make it look like they are interested in Main Street, but only after they get Wall Streets approval. Socialism is dead in America. Long live the faceless Corporation.
You know Dave You are more “right”than you know.Democrats(most)have not moved far left.They are still mainly center left, as the right(most) is center right.It is just their tour bus was hi-jacked by a gang of hard hard left idealogs who now control the government.Soon to be fixed at the ballot box. Socialism is dead,and hopefully every American…every single spirited rugged individual in this country coming out of collage will start his own corporation and explode this economy.Wall street can grow.What social problems we need…can be funded (and not by the Chinese).That is a free market unleashed.And don’t fear the Tea party.They have removed the social arguments from their platforms.Simple constitutional free market capitalism and individual freedoms.Forget the class warfare corporate boogyman crappola instilled in so many so well by the Obama regime.It is about to get a face lift.
As far as I can see, the left is way too far to the right. I can’t believe that Obama has continued the unconstitutional faith-based charities initiated by GW Bush? He taught constitutional law and can’t see how the separation of church and state has been violated. So anyone who says the left is too far left has not been looking in the correct places. Alas.