When we talk about “the middle” in politics, people tend to picture bland moderation. The mushy center. The “split the difference” crowd.
But as my guest this week, Shannon Watson of Majority in the Middle, makes clear, that’s not what it really means. The middle isn’t an ideology. It’s a way of governing. It’s the belief that once the campaigning is done, our job is to find consensus where we can and deliver results for the people we represent.
That’s not about watering down values. It’s about recognizing that in a democracy, there’s no governing without compromise, because there’s no community where 100% of the people agree on 100% of the issues.
We talk about the quiet, structural ways our politics encourages hyper-partisanship, from caucus systems that reward the loudest activists, to committee seating arrangements that literally keep legislators apart. We also get into the small changes that could make a big difference, like simply mixing seating so lawmakers actually have to talk to each other.
This conversation digs into why bipartisanship has become a dirty word, and how we can reclaim it without sacrificing principle. We talk about:
Why party endorsements sometimes shut voters out of the process.
How the activist vs. juror approach to public service shapes policy outcomes.
Why most Americans want their government to work, not just win fights.
How lowering the temperature starts with humanizing the people we disagree with.
The reality is, most voters aren’t looking for a permanent political war. They want their streets safe, their schools strong, and their leaders focused on solving problems instead of endlessly fighting. That’s the real majority — and it’s time they had a louder voice in the room.
You can listen to the episode here, or wherever you listen to your podcasts! The Real Majority With Julius Hernandez
