Centrist Candidates in 2014 Midterms Poised to Give Power Back to the Middle
Washington, DC (PRWEB) October 27, 2014 -- The Centrist Project Voice, with less than two weeks until the November 4, 2014 Midterm elections, today announces a 10-day effort to “give power back to the middle.” These grassroots activities, driven by The Centrist Project Voice staff and volunteers include -- fundraising, social media and press endorsements, and get-out-the-vote events.
This effort represents the 40% of US citizens that see themselves as moderates. According to polls, this group of pragmatists welcomes compromise in Congress on the serious issues that face our country. However, with Congress increasingly controlled by extreme members of the two major parties, little progress on these issues has been achieved.
The Centrist Project Voice, in a sustained effort over the next two weeks and in subsequent elections, aims to carry independent and moderate Senate candidates to victory. By sending a group of centrist leaders to the upper chamber, the organization is confident a coalition can be created to push both major parties to pass legislation that represents moderates.
With just two new independent Senators joining Angus King in the middle -- such as Greg Orman of Kansas and Larry Pressler of South Dakota -- the three could form a coalition to drive compromise on important legislation. While each may caucus with a major party to capture committee assignments and impact the legislative agenda, the three could pool their votes on any single issue or bill regardless of party affiliation, forming the most powerful, sought after voting bloc in the Senate.
Of importance to moderates, according to The Centrist Project’s research, are the following national issues – debt and deficit reduction, entitlement reform, environmental responsibility, healthcare cost containment, and K-12 education improvements. Also important is a pragmatic approach to governing.
Additional independent Senators, fortified by support from other Democrat or Republican moderates, in subsequent years could improve their collective position as power brokers to drive progress on these important issues. As such, The Centrist Project Voice plans to support candidates in the 2016 and 2018 elections that are ready to set aside partisan politics and focus on the core issues of critical importance to all Americans.
The Centrist Project predicts that four or five independent Senators in 2016 could establish a group with votes to approve important policy. This scenario would “give power back to the middle” -- back to those increasingly disenchanted with the currently paralyzed political system.
This sustained effort by the Centrist Project Voice in the next ten days, and over the next four years, combined with efforts of similar groups like IndependentVoting.org, can enable the organization to reach its goals. But not without the support of the 40% of 2012 voters that considered themselves moderates according to exit polls.
The organization urges all moderates to get involved in The Centrist Project and similar organizations, and become part of the solution. Even a modest individual affiliation by a large group of moderate citizens can send Senators to Washington that offer a pragmatic approach to solving the important issues of today and the future.
Supporting Quotes
“If there were just four or five centrist senators, then neither traditional party would have a majority – and that handful of centrist senators would hold the swing votes on every issue facing the Senate. This centrist bloc would give power back to the middle.”
Charles Wheelan, The Centrist Project founder, policy fellow at Dartmouth College, and author of the 2013 book The Centrist Manifesto.
“Independent voters – 42% of the country - are pushing back against the limits of partisan politics by pushing for systemic reforms like open primaries. And independent Senate candidates are championing those reforms, looking to upset the balance of power on Capitol Hill. Whatever the outcome on election day, America's second political war for independence has begun.”
Jacqueline Salit, President of IndependentVoting.org, author of the 2012 book Independents Rising: Outsider Movements, Third Parties and the Struggle for a Post-Partisan America
About The Centrist Project Voice
The Centrist Project Voice was formed to support candidates ready to set aside partisan politics and focus on the core issues of critical importance to all Americans. These candidates embody the Centrist Principles -- fiscal responsibility, environmental stewardship, social tolerance, economic opportunity and pragmatic governance -- as foundational public policy approach to draw from the best of both parties and break the partisan deadlock.
In the 2014 Midterm elections, The Centrist Project Voice supports the following candidates for the Senate -- Greg Orman (I-KS), Larry Pressler (I-SD), Michelle Nunn (D-GA), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jill Bossi (I-SC).
Additional References
• 7/09/14 Press Release: The Centrist Project Voice Endorses a Wide Portfolio of Moderate Candidates - http://www.centristproject.org/breakingnews_cpvendorsements
• 10/03/14 Press Release: Pressler Surges in SD Senate Race; National Movement Underway For Senate - http://www.centristproject.org/press_release_pressler_surges_in_sd_senate_race_national_movement_underway_for_senate_control
• 10/09/14 Press Release: Independent Candidates Disrupt US Senate Fight For Majority - http://www.centristproject.org/independent_candidates_disrupt_senate
• 10/15/14 Press Release: The Centrist Project Voice Announces Results of Drive to Support Moderate Candidates http://www.centristproject.org/cpv_announces_results
CONTACT
To speak with Charles Wheelan or the candidates endorsed by the Centrist Project Voice please contact:
Pam Peak, Executive Director
312.848.9726
press(at)centristproject(dot)org
@CentProj
Keywords - #KSSen, #SDSen, #SCSen, #GASen #MESen #SCSen #CenterStands
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Pam Peak, The Centrist Project, http://www.centristproject.org, +1 312-848-9726, [email protected]
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