Legendary newspaper columnist James Reston laid down the law more than a half -century ago: “The decisive battleground of American politics lies in the center and cannot be captured from either of the extremes, and any party that defies this principle does not improve its chances of national power or even effective opposition but precisely the opposite.” Full Story »
Posted by Chris Finnie
Avalon states his argument early and then produces an impressive array of historical facts to bolster it. One factual error states that New England no longer has any Republican representatives. Perhaps he should have been more specific and stated exactly what chamber he meant. But Susan Collins and Olympia Snow are both Republicans from Maine, which, on my maps, still counts as New England.
Though less obvious in warning Democrats, this might also serve as a lesson to liberals who hope for a quick move from the new administration. To govern effectively, it is likely Obama will need to maintain a focus on what's best for the majority of people. And to also frame his decisions that way.
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