With the two-party system more entrenched than ever by campaign money, and the right- and left-wings in control of that money, can a moderate ever make it out of the primaries? Schwarzenegger did it as CA governor on his own dime, but President is a much more expensive campaign.
2007-02-26 10:21:03 · 8 answers · asked by Dr. M 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
It's unlikely, given the current political structure. The primaries attract the most partisan people, leaving us with candidates who only appeal to the partisans of the country.
2007-02-26 10:29:01 · answer #1 · answered by teflaime 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are actually very few "radical" presidents throughout the history of the United States. Because of the two-party system, there tends to be more moderate candidates because no "side" of the political parties has a large enough margin to win the presidency outright.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.
--Attributed to Abraham Lincoln
If you change the word "fool" to "please", I think you can see why, as a natural course of human progress, we have moderate leaders. It is only when the general population becomes complacent that a "radical" leader ever has the chance to take power.
2007-02-26 18:36:53 · answer #2 · answered by Darrell S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The primaries are the problem. Primary voters have to start looking to electability. Why won't liberals realize that Hillary has no chance in hell? And why does McCain have to kiss up to Jerry Falwell in order to survive? They've both sold out to the extreme wings of their parties, and I hope neither makes it to the White House.
2007-02-26 18:47:28 · answer #3 · answered by Nick A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
never on a 2 party system
2007-02-26 18:28:14 · answer #4 · answered by Michael K 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Obama and Edwards are moderates/progressives.
2007-02-26 18:57:13 · answer #5 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. We have 1 now.
2007-02-26 20:25:10 · answer #6 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bill Clinton was moderate. Hillary Clinton is moderate, but I hope we elect someone more liberal.
2007-02-26 18:24:20 · answer #7 · answered by Duffman 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's been done many times.
2007-02-26 18:24:05 · answer #8 · answered by amazin'g 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋