Let me re-phrase the question : What should it mean to be politically pragmatic ? We know what it usually is, trade offs, compromises, and making deals. Sometimes this is necessary. But it would be far better if pragmatism in politics was conscious effort to become efficient in working toward achieving important goals. Pragmatism in this sense means, for example, studying the opposition, looking for opportunities, finding strategies that actually have a chance for success, choosing effective tactics, mobilizing your available resources, and presenting your case in the best way possible so that not only is your message crystal clear to others but also is said in a way that is objectively appealing to potential supporters. In politics as in war the objective is winning --because the alternative may be unthinkable. When it is impossible to win, then educate others so that, in the future, you will prevail. Make the lessons you want to teach stick. Billy Rojas ========================================================== message dated 9/27/2011 9:52:21 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes:
I'm putting together a site/blog thing that mostly consists of series of features, maps and media. My goal is to bring attention to other denizens of the center, highlight discussions of issues, etc. One of these is a weekly question directed toward a panel of active centrists/ moderates/affiliated independents. If anyone wants to take a stab at this week's question, here it is: "What does it mean to you to be politically pragmatic?" I figure a digestible answer would be anywhere from a sentence to a paragraph. If you would like to take part, please include whether you you want me to credit you as a psuedonym or as your real name, first name, or initials (I go by a pseudonym at the moment). Also, note any site or blog of yours that you would like to link to. http://moderatetradition.wordpress.com -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
