Steve Chapman writing at Reason.com

The average American citizen, contrary to myth, is neither very angry, nor very far to the left or the right, nor inclined to treat anyone with different opinions as a mortal enemy. In a cluttered media environment, the most extreme voices tend to attract so much attention that it's easy to forget something important: Most people aren't listening.

Most American's understand that as we drive into a foggy future it is really hard to see beyond the headlights. They also understand that a path of purposeful moderation is the safest bet to get us where we need to go -- that drifting too far to the left, or the right, only increases our chances of ending up in a ditch. Contrary to the hubris of some, a belief in steady, sustainable progress is both enlightened and reasonable. It is also correct.