A moderate again in 2020?

Re “Angling for the middle ground,” Nov. 11

This article states that many Democrats are “anxious that an uncompromising progressive at the top of the ticket could push swing states into President Trump’s hands.” Perhaps this could more accurately say that people comfortable with the status quo think an uncompromising progressive will appeal to swing states in the general election.

Many of those who voted for Trump in 2016 were unhappy with the policies of both parties that had steadily eroded the economic well-being of their families. That they would be particularly turned off by that pillar of the establishment, Hillary Clinton, is hardly a surprise.

With all due respect, I suggest that they do provide fertile ground for an “uncompromising progressive.”

Reneau Reneau

Inglewood

We know that winning a presidential election requires capturing the middle ground, but that shouldn’t make us overlook the fact that the middle ground can be moved to the left, as with Franklin D. Roosevelt, or to the right, as with Ronald Reagan.

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg is aiming at the middle ground by promising moderation and reconciliation with Republicans. That’s one reason the mayor of South Bend, Ind., is Wall Street’s favorite Democrat.

Unfortunately, favoring

a Wall Street-aligned Democrat is like supporting cops who can get along with the mafia.

Republicans sought to block every initiative by President Obama, regardless of whether it benefited the public. Their opposition to healthcare arguably cost American lives. Republicans, as economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman wrote, are “perfectly willing to sell out America if that’s what it takes to get tax cuts for the wealthy.”

Roger Carasso

Santa Fe, N.M.