By Wade Lee Hudson

The Republicans and the media are busy trying to label Harris and Walz. One option I suggest is “progressive populist.” 

Howsever, on November 14, 2013, in a long Op-Ed News commentary inspired by Harry Boyte’s 2007 John Dewey Lecture at the University of Michigan, “Populism and John Dewey: Convergences and Contradictions,” Rejecting the “left-right spectrum,” I suggested another: “compassionate populism.”

The readers of my Op-Ed News essay, “Building Compassionate Populism,” offered considerable support. The piece opened: 

An unholy alliance of big government and big business has created a crony capitalism administered by privileged elites who serve their own self-interest. 

Some of these elites call themselves “conservative,” but aren’t truly conservative. Others call themselves “liberal,” but aren’t truly liberal. Governing elites have perverted both conservatism and liberalism and replaced them with caricatures.

Though it’s impossible to place all issues on one “left-right” spectrum, these two camps engage in a phony ideological battle that serves to divide and conquer.

Those on “the left” should stop trying to defeat those on “the right,” and vice versa. We should strive, instead, to grow an effective popular movement to undo crony capitalism, empower all people, promote authentic free markets, and establish social and economic justice. Let us all unite to build a “compassionate populism,” in which the 99% work for the betterment of the 100%.

Now, I prefer “progressive populism.” Regardless, Harris and Walz would do well to use a new label (and call their campaign the “Harris Walz dance.”