What’s in a Name?

I’m looking for a name to describe the hyper-partisan, energetic, and youthful masses that have so quickly coalesced around Obama, turning him into “the world’s biggest celebrity”. In contrast to the McCain campaign, where various Republican groups have not so much coalesced as coagulated around the candidate, Obama’s campaign seems to have created a veritable movement, much as the Reagan Revolution reinvigorated the Republican Party. Just as Reagan built a coalition of varied interests by capitalizing on an unpopular President and a disaffected public, Obama is doing the same. In doing so he is creating an ideology and movement that will affect politics for years to come.

Welcome

Hello, and welcome to whoever is reading this (if anyone is). This blog is called Voice from the Middle because that’s what it is – the voice of someone tired by the partisan sniping, close-mindedness, and polarization that is sweeping the country.

Now I’m not Fox News – I won’t claim to be “fair and balanced”, because I’m not balanced; I tend to shift slightly to the left. What I can promise is to always be open for discussion. If you want to start a discussion in the comments or by email, I can promise that I will go in with an open mind, and that I will keep talking for as long as you want. I believe that reasoned discussion and debate, where both sides are open to changing their minds is the cornerstone of any democracy, and one that is being replaced by mere partisn shoutfests. Here’s hoping I’m wrong.