ANALYSIS
The collapse of the political center
Moderation, pragmatism and bipartisanship are becoming endangered principles in a polarized political environment that rewards extremism and hot takes over thoughtful policymaking

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U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
The political developments over the last week couldn’t send a more dispiriting message about the viability of the political center — in both parties.
Last Tuesday, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned on a far-left agenda on...