Would you be open for an independent president who is a centrist?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Yes, provided that their centrism maps on to the highly idiosyncratic set of extreme views that, along with ignorance and a general lack of moral fiber, usually defines a moderate voter.

May I introduce you to the platform of former General Wesley S. MacGuffin (I-NC)?

✓ 90% tax rate on the richest 1%
✓ Death penalty for pedophiles
✓ National ban on pit bulls
✓ Corporal punishment for drug offenders
✓ School uniforms
✓ National ban on Right to Work
✓ Unilateral withdrawal from NATO
✓ Re-introduction of the gray wolf to every state in the continental US
✓ Moratorium on wind development
✓ Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour
✓ Make politicians dress like NASCAR drivers

This one looks like a real winner!

How sad is it that this is less objectionable than tons of actual political platforms of ~mainstream~ candidates?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Absolutely not.


And especially not a "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" moron like Howard Schultz.

That's not what any centrists actually mean when they want a centrist. You can be +10,-10 on the political matrix, but them evening out doesn't make you "centrist". You're just opposite extremes. Of course nobody is in the perfect center, but centrists want someone who is actually somewhat close to the real middle.

There is no "real middle", at least not that anyone wants.


Source

We've become two separate nations, that just happen to be geographically intermingled. We don't even agree on what laws or the Constitution or people are anymore.

Not that you're wrong, but that really isn't what this chart indicates.