By James Oliphant

September 26, 2010

Galvanized by the lightning-in-a-bottle success of conservative "tea party" candidates, moderate Republicans and others in the political center are looking for ways to push back against what they see as an advancing tide of ideological extremism.

The efforts are loosely organized and embryonic, but politicians, advocacy groups and others are piecing together a framework to promote moderate candidates and advance positions they say have been eclipsed by partisan sniping on the right and left.

"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 political strategist and former advisor to President George W. Bush.

"The tea party has tapped into voter frustration and anger," he said, "but does not represent millions of Americans in the vast middle." (Emphasis added)

The moves reflect political divisions that have only grown deeper as tea-party-backed insurgents have toppled candidates supported by the GOP establishment around the country.

[snip]

Bloomberg first traveled to Rhode Island, to promote former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee's independent campaign for governor. He followed up with a fundraiser at his New York home for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who is running against tea party Republican Sharron Angle. Bloomberg also plans to fly to California soon to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, a Republican.

Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent, has more plans to support moderates who fit his model. He's expected to back Rep. Mark Steven Kirk (R-Ill.), chasing an open Senate seat in Illinois, as well as Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who faces a challenge from tea-party-supported candidate Ken Buck.

Howard Wolfson, a Bloomberg advisor, said the mayor would support candidates who are "willing, able, and interested in reaching across the aisle and working in a bipartisan way, whether they are Democrats or Republicans or independents."

"The two parties aren't even talking to each other," Wolfson said. "He believes it's critical to restore some degree of bipartisanship."

Bloomberg is especially supportive of candidates who share his interest in issues such as education, immigration reform and gun regulation. He also favors candidates with business backgrounds, such as Whitman, said Wolfson, a former strategist for Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign.

Continues @ LATimes.com

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YES!!!!!!!!  FINALLY, there is a non-Tea Party CENTRIST, MODERATE, who will not take the extremes!!

Go Howard Wolfson!!  LOL  May be there is some hope for 2012 for moderates afterall!