The new moderates

The Guardian’s Jamie Wilson today, in an ostensibly straight news article, demonstrates well how Guardian reporters view the world, characterizing the two political forces at odds over the John Bolton nomination.

His nomination to the UN has split both the Senate and the foreign policy community. Moderates have argued his appointment would further damage US international relations at a time when the country should be reaching out to make friends, while conservatives claim he is just what is needed to shake up the UN.

And who does Wilson seek out to articulate this “moderate” viewpoint? Senators Ted Kennedy and Harry Reid. For those of you who have lived under a rock for the past 20 years (or, alternatively, get your information exclusively from The Guardian), you may find it a revelation that neither Kennedy nor Reid is, in fact, a moderate. Americans For Democratic Action, self-described as “America’s oldest independent liberal lobbying organization”, gave ratings of 90 to Ted Kennedy and 78 to Harry Reid, based upon their lifetime voting records.

The “perfect Liberal quotient”, according to the ADA, is 100. It's a tough grading curve when 90 represents a failing grade.