David Schanzer, associate professor of the practice, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke Universityhttp://fds.duke.edu/db/Sanford/schanzer Schanzer is principal author of the Gridlock blog, which examines the symptoms and effects of partisan political paralysis in Washington: http://dukegridlock.blogspot.com/. He is a former Democratic staff director of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security.Quote:"Sen. Snowe's announcement that she would not run for re-election marks the continued deterioration of the center in American politics. Having myself worked for a moderate Republican senator from Maine, I have some understanding of the pressures and frustrations Sen. Snowe faced. Over recent years, the number of colleagues in her caucus that share her perspective and willingness to negotiate with Democrats has dwindled and it has become virtually impossible for the parties as a whole to find common ground. "The rise of the Tea Party in the Republican Party is making life especially difficult for even mainstream conservatives like Sens. Richard Lugar and Orrin Hatch, who, as the New York Times documented in a story over the weekend, have tacked sharply to the right in order to fend off primary challenges to their seats. The pressures and acrimony are even more severe for moderate Republicans, who are often labeled RINOS (Republicans in Name Only) by activist groups. "If centrists like Sen. Snowe continue to leave the public sphere -- or are voted out of office in primaries -- we will be left with totally polarized legislatures, perpetually gridlocked and incapable of addressing the nation's pressing challenges like the deficit, energy dependence and economic competitiveness."
