The Shifting Meaning of “Moderate”

The New Yorker contributing writer Jon Allsop joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss the shifting meaning of the word “moderate” in the 2026 election season. They talk about recent primary results in Michigan and Wisconsin, and what the contests reveal about Democratic voters’ appetite for establishment candidates versus the Party’s progressive insurgency. They also explore how labels like “moderate” and “centrist” map onto mainstream American opinion on issues such as ICE, U.S. support for Israel, and universal health care, as well as how the progressive wing might adjust its messaging ahead of the midterms—and what the outcome could mean for the Party’s direction as it looks toward the 2028 Presidential race.

This week’s reading:

• “What Does It Even Mean to Be a Moderate?,” by Jon Allsop
• “Donald Trump Is Still Trying to Make It Harder to Vote,” by Amy Davidson Sorkin
• “How Far Will the Trump Administration Go to Deport Mahmoud Khalil?,” by Andrew Marantz
• “Nayib Bukele’s Content Machine Is Reshaping Latin America,” by Daniel Castro
• “How Trump Is Trying to Weaken Migrant Children’s Legal Defense,” by Ruth Marcus

The Political Scene draws on the reporting and analysis found in The New Yorker for lively conversations about the big questions in American politics. Join the magazine’s writers and editors as they put into context the latest news—about elections, the economy, the White House, the Supreme Court, and much more. New episodes are available three times a week. 

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