Ever wonder what is going on in the mind of kinda-sorta-maybe Senate candidate Harold Ford? Voila!On a related note, check out this post on the definition of “moderates” vs. “centrists”.

The gist, as I distill it, is that moderates are people with open minds that generally hold to the overall platform of their party and sometimes disagree about a particular point in the party line, rather than insisting on making split-the-baby compromises on nearly everything (see, e.g. Evan Bayh).

Although centrists are often moderates, a moderate is not, by definition, a centrist.

Lately, I’ve seen these terms used interchangeably, and it’s disturbingly misleading. Unlike centrism, moderates do not [continually] seek “middle of the road” answers for the purpose of equally accommodating two opposing positions. Compromise for its own sake is not moderate politics.

The true hallmark of a moderate is the ability to engage in discussion with an honestly open mind. A moderate therefore recognizes that most positions, however strongly held, stem from valid concerns. This does not, however, mean that all positions are rational and must — or even can — be accommodated.

Finally (this last one might bother some folks), a moderate is not afraid to shift a position when confronted with rational reasons to do so. From the above, the why’s and wherefore’s are probably pretty clear on this one.

“There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos“
– Jim Hightower