Third Way is a center-left think tank that originated in the Clintonian mode and has become, as fashion befits, "progressive." But Third Way's honorary legislative chairs are pretty indicative of their politics, which is explicitly centrist. That's fine by me, different strokes, etc., although Matt Yglesias has, in the past, referred to their domestic agenda as "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit." Anyway, they can advocate what they wish, but they become pernicious is when people think Third Way actually represents the views of any progressives, and that's been happening a lot lately.Spencer Ackerman caught Mike Allen referring to institution as "the moderate voice of the progressive movement." Er, no. Third Way is the moderate voice of the moderate movement. Progressives have plenty of progressive voices that you can check out, though. And then today's big Times piece on how the only constituency for the War in Afghanistan right now are congressional Republicans? Well, you guessed it, there is an appearance by "Third Way, a moderately left-wing think tank." Some might say that a moderate left-winger is a centrist. I'm guessing this Third Way VP Matt Bennett's fault, he's quoted in both instances and probably tells the reporter how to describe the institution's politics; if that's how he's been describing his organization, it's disingenuous. But reporters are expected to make their own judgments on these things.So, for the record: Third Way is moderate, or center-left if you like. Progressive views can be found at explicitly progressive outlets, like the Center for American Progress, or for specifically national security-related expertise, the National Security Network. -- Tim Fernholz
