Pols and Voters Are Reviving Political Center

Bipartisan wave could loosen gridlock in Washington
By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff
Posted May 10, 2008 12:00 PM CDT
Pols and Voters Are Reviving Political Center
Michael Bloomberg, left, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are declared Republicans but have governed like independents.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

With Barack Obama and John McCain continuing to roll out bipartisan rhetoric, this election may soon see the return of the political center, the Wall Street Journal reports. More voters are also registering as independents, and Internet donations from ordinary citizens make pols less beholden to special interests on the right or left.

Simple interaction may do the trick, too. If lawmakers raise cash online, they don’t have to return to their home districts as much. Instead, they can spend more time together in D.C. Says one rep: "When you get to know somebody as a neighbor, or your kids play together on the soccer team, it's harder for you to go on the floor and call them names." (More bipartisanship stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X