Mainstream=Moderate

Of course, you know what this means. Fox News has an opinion piece (written by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos) covering the meaning of "mainstream". I have generally been more accepting of that phrase, as it usually covers a collective body, rather than specifying one's partisan leanings (or claimed lack of).

Still, even this Red Stater can learn something new.

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia said the mainstream is a desirable place because it represents commonality or normalcy.

"Usually people are attracted to 'mainstream.' Virtually everyone wants to think they are within the mainstream," Sabato said.

Now, let's look at the Dictionary use of the word.

Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.

Hmm, those two definitions sound identical. This probably should have been self-evident, as the MSM has little meaning these days but a liberal, elitist propoganda machine.

Of course, with winning lines like this,

I tend to use 'moderate' rather than mainstream. ... To me, it has some meaning. ... It may be someone who is pro-choice on abortion, but against partial birth abortion

it is hard to find either term appealing in usage.

It is far past time for people to stop trying to make themselves sound like "centrists"; it is time to be honest. If members of the blogosphere can reveal their true feelings (even as biased as they may be), then certainly journalists can avoid insulting the intelligence of millions of people.