Arguably for example, there is no actual "left" in American politics. After thirty years standing mesmerized by the big lies of conservatism, Americans are now inoculated against even moderately left-leaning issues such as moderate gun control, or the abolition of the death penalty. And clearly there is no inherent "center". That misnomer simply refers to those unprincipled elected officials who attempt to promote positions that stand halfway between where the authentic, progressive American Majority stands, and whatever extreme and radical position the red-faced movement conservatives happen to be screaming about loudest at any given moment.
Nonetheless, in the absence of a "left" or "center" there certainly does appear to be a "right". All you have to do is tune in to "Make stuff up" network (FOX), or listen to some "shout really loud" raido (Rush), and it seems clear that there IS a right. In reality, that's just not the case.
Here's a good explanation of what's really going on within the "conservative coalition", and why his vote for torture yesterday pushed McCain beyond the realm of remote extremism and deep deep into the territory of radical pandering:
I never thought I would ever defend the dolts in our press corps for their crush on McCain, but I think that they have a point. Even if they don't understand it.As you said, McCain is wingnutty as hell and not overly-principled. But he is still anathema to many wingnuts. This is not because the wingnuts are even more extremist than McCain, as you suggest. It is hard to be more extremist than McCain. There is another explanation.
The VRWC is a conspiracy, composed of several factions, most of whom hate each others' guts. The economic predators sneer at the Taliban, as their lawful prey. The Taliban correctly view the predators as godless ghouls. The ultranationalists correctly view the predators as having no loyalty to the US. The neocons think that the whole pack is ni kultyurni. The ultranationalists and predators correctly view the neocons as mutant Trotskyites, useful only for propaganda. (Nobody trusts the neocons or libertarians; they are too tainted by Enlightenment ideas.)
But the VRWC still coheres as a conspiracy, because they are all willing to cede what the other faction most wants, in return for getting what they most want. The predators get economic predation: on the middle class and on other countries. The ultranationalists and neocons get their belligerency and wars, as long as it doesn't hurt the predators' balance sheets. The Taliban get their courts, as long as the predators' daughters can fly to Sweden when necessary. And so on. (The predators are more equal than the other factions.) The racists and nativists and other unpleasant sorts are not really part of this conspiracy, but the conspiracy is happy to feed them raw meat in exchange for their votes.
To be a successful politician in this conspiracy, you must show complete and total allegiance to the conspiracy. They hate each other too much; there is no other glue but loyalty to the conspiracy. They don't care what you "really" think. The Taliban knew that Romney was of the predator class, but he showed his fealty. All factions of the VRWC knew that Bush was a shallow fool, but they all knew that he would advance their interests. They were provisionally willing to trust Bush p+¿re, but he lost their trust by caving on the predators with the 1990 tax increase.
So, even the term "Right" is a misnomer. The right as we know it is a delicate alliance between Oligarchs ("Small Government"), Theocrats ("Family Values"), and UltraNationalists ("Strong Military"), and the unnamed racists and bigots to whom the three primary partners are happy to throw red meat in exchange for votes.
The purpose of all of this is to highlight precisely why John McCain's vote in favor of Torture is such a great example of the madness gripping our politics today, and such a great example of extreme radical pandering on McCain's part.
With his 83% rating from the Conservative Union (possibly the only union conservatives like), McCain is an extreme member of the movement. He long ago, shed any pretense at "maverick" status, largely towing the hard line for the neocons. But ever since seeking the Republican nomination, McCain has undertaken to kowtow before the theocrats in various ways, such as kissing Pat Robertson's ring, and also flagellating himself before the Oligarchs by swearing to uphold Bush's disastrous tax cuts.
As a personal victim of torture at the hands of his Viet Kong captors, McCain was once a singular voice of reason as the three plus one unholy alliance ran screaming from American decency. Finally, yesterday, in an effort to shore up his support in his increasingly radical party, he "sold his soul" and voted in favor of radicalism, pandering, and torture.
It's pitiful but not unexpected. The only thing about John McCain that remains "moderate" is his chance of winning the White House.
Swap out right for left progressive for conservative and McCain for Obama
Moveon.org and Cindy Sheehan for Fox News and Rush
What you are left with is the fallacy of our broken two party system thats forces their candidates to placate the extremes
For more examples look at how much hate Jim Webb has garnered for daring to actually think for himself and gasp not tow the left-wing liberal party line 100% of the time
First of all, defending the constitution isn't an issue of Left or right, and the FISA vote is about the 4th Amendment.
If the House hadn't called Bush's bluff, we'd be racing towards disaster, and there still every indication Bush could prevail.
If there's a fallacy, it has to do with the depth of conservative support in this country. This is a powerfully progressive countyr that has been sold a bill of goods, and John McCain, who once tried to navigate the dangers of political reality has long sided with those who would radicals who live and sell a fantasy.
The two party system isn't broke, it's just been bent by one hell of a "music man" sales job, over the course of the past 30 years.