The Disappearing Middle in the Senate: A Look at Ideological Polarization

The Disappearing Middle in the Senate: How Moderates Like Joe Manchin Hold the Power

In a time of intense political polarization, the role of moderates in the Senate has become increasingly crucial. West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who has faced criticism from the left for his opposition to a $3.5 trillion budget package, recently offered progressives some advice: if they want a bigger, more costly bill, they should elect more liberals.

However, the reality of the modern Senate tells a different story. The ideological middle has eroded away, with only two sitting Democratic senators, Manchin and Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, ranking more conservatively than the least conservative Republican. On the Republican side, there are six GOP senators who rank more liberally than the least liberal Democrat.

The lack of an ideological center is evident in the voting records of senators, with the number of states sending a split partisan Senate delegation to Washington at an all-time low. The disappearing middle is a trend that has been observed over the past two decades, with a significant decrease in the number of moderates in both parties.

The issue in the Senate is not the lack of liberals or conservatives, but the scarcity of moderates. In a closely divided Senate, senators like Manchin and Sinema, who position themselves as centrists, hold significant power. The disappearing middle in the Senate has far-reaching consequences, making the few remaining moderates pivotal players in key legislative moments.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the role of moderates like Joe Manchin becomes increasingly important in shaping the direction of policy and legislation in the Senate.