Moderates: the vital center of American politics, from the founding to today

Between aristocracy and democracy: John Adams

Up from federalism: George Cabot

Reckoning with the original Sunbelt Right: John Quincy Adams

The Jeffersonian origins of the GOP: Abraham Lincoln

The last patrician: Henry Adams

Between privilege and poverty: Theodore Roosevelt

Losing the square deal center: William Howard Taft

"Me too" Republicanism meets the New Right: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

West of center: the Bushes

After liberalism: Carter, Clinton, Obama

Conclusion: holding the center.

Introduction : searching for the center

Part I. Patriot kings ; Between aristocracy and democracy : John Adams

Up from federalism : George Cabot

Reckoning with the original sunbelt right : John Quincy Adams

The Jeffersonian origins of the GOP : Abraham Lincoln

Part II. Progressives ; The last patrician : Henry Adams

Between privilege and poverty : Theodore Roosevelt

Losing the square deal center : William Howard Taft

Part III. Pragmatists ; "Me-too" Republicanism meets the new right : Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

West of center : the Bushes

After liberalism : Carter, Clinton, Obama

Conclusion : holding the center.