Tea Party Success Awakens Moderates

Feeling that the political scene has been hijacked by extreme views, namely the Tea Party’s, moderates on both sides of the aisle are beginning to rediscover their voices. Young advocacy efforts like the No Labels group, ironically using similar “citizens movement” rhetoric as the Tea Party, are crystallizing to push back against the bitter divisiveness that has taken over debate on Capitol Hill. "Middle America is being ignored by Washington and the media. Centrists are desperate for a voice today; they feel entirely unrepresented," said Mark McKinnon, a Daily Beast contributor and former advisor to President George W. Bush and backer of the No Labels group. "The tea party has tapped into voter frustration and anger, but does not represent millions of Americans in the vast middle." Even Michael Bloomberg has promised to use his wealth and visibility to promote both Democratic and Republican moderates in November. "The two parties aren't even talking to each other," said one Bloomberg advisor. "He believes it's critical to restore some degree of bipartisanship."