The vanishing political center

The establishmentarian center was often cynical, and sometimes corrupt. I still miss it.

Bernie Sanders and President Trump.
(Image credit: Illustrated | yamonstro/iStock, AP Photo/USAF)

Washington's establishment guard is crumbling.

Veteran politicians such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are emblematic of an old order that is losing more power every day. In their stead, populist leaders are taking over both political wings in Washington, pushing Republicans and Democrats further to the left and to the right — and thus, further than ever from each other.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Gracy Olmstead

Gracy Olmstead is a writer and journalist located outside Washington, D.C. She's written for The American Conservative, National Review, The Federalist, and The Washington Times, among others.