In 2000, we can look forward to something really exciting. Two of the most thrilling figures of our age may stage a presidential debate. George Bush, Jr. may be the Republican candidate. Gore will be the Democrat. If you have a moderate Republican running against a Democrat, you have two people saying the same thing.
People switch channels.
At election time, they vote for the real Democrat. I have spent decades in politics, and I am perfectly aware of the dangers of being labeled an extremist. But what those who haven't been in hard core politics are not aware of is how hard it is, in our age of massive competition in communications, to keep the people interested. If you keep your politics moderate and safe, you lose your audience. It will not surprise the reader to be told that psychopaths dominate America's political system.