The New American Revolution is Taking Shape

In the summer of 2016 I quit my job and spent time traveling all over the country trying to recruit an independent candidate for president to run against both Trump and Clinton. I got a lot of head pats and generally condescending responses despite the fact that we had the intellectual and financial support of serious people like Bill Kristol, John Kingston and many others.
That then led to spending three months running a crazy presidential race for Evan McMullin, sprinting onto 11 ballots in just over a month and making a national splash that WAY outpaced our actual size and fundraising haul. But we largely got the same head-patting condescension, notwithstanding an amazing outpouring of grassroots support and media.
So when I joined the Centrist Project in February of this year I was very realistic about what we were facing with a mission to recruit and elect independent candidates to the US Senate, Governships and some key state legislatures. I figured, at least out of the gate, I’d get plenty more head-patting. And that was ok because I believe in the cause and that in the not-too-distant future, this change is coming.
But then I started reaching out to folks, even at the very highest levels of culture and politics, and getting truly positive responses. People who should not be responding to my cold calls and emails were getting back to me within minutes wanting to know more. Current elected officials were taking phone calls, asking for anonymity. Donors were writing checks. And then it really started heating up with people finding us on facebook and reading news articles about us and reaching out to talk. Two emails and a dinner would turn into a large check. CEOs were reaching out. Celebrities were showing up at happy hours we were hosting. The press was intrigued. Sitting senators were asking me to please not mention them in public. Something different was happening and it’s gaining steam.
I haven’t quite fully grasped all that is driving this real and tangible difference from last year, though I have theories. What is sure, however, is that something is truly different. People have become hungrier for a truly independent political movement and perhaps more importantly, truly independent leaders full of integrity and character.
I read pieces every day about how it’s “condescending” or “disrespectful” to talk about Trump voters or Bernie voters in certain ways. I’ll tell you what’s condescending and disrespectful: to think that Americans broadly are actually ok with the divisive, tribal politics they see playing out all around them. To think they’re ok with the rhetoric, filth and complete lack of forward progress on the biggest issues facing our nation. That is what’s condescending.
What I’m seeing in incredible ways right now is that Americans are fed up. Not in the way that those who voted for Trump were fed up, though that was real. And not in the way that hashtag activists want to #resist. No, the long-quiet and yet ever-so-powerful “middle” is rising up.
The vast middle is not some squishy, amoral group as pundits and especially party bosses are fond of saying. They are as diverse as the nation. And they hold opposing views on some really important issues. But just like when, during wartime, nations unite against a common enemy, the vast middle has realized the common enemy is the massively corrupt, inept and unprincipled parties running our nation and most of our states. No one is draining any swamps. No one is resisting their way to a balanced budget or real healthcare reform. The vast middle is fed up, and if you want to be a part of the next American Revolution, now is just the right time to join.
