An Enlightened Centrist/Moderate is a nickname given to mock certain political commentators who call themselves centrists, when their rhetoric suggests otherwise. Unlike typical
centrists, who are more balanced with their views and oppose political extremes, Enlightened Centrists use their platform to almost exclusively attack the left while never attacking the right. They go to such lengths to defend any right wing position, that they even do dishonest research and present misinformation that serves a right-wing viewpoint. They don't give the left any charitable interpretation of what they say and often
straw man and
gaslight the left, especially when the left is calling out
alt-right propaganda. These types of centrists have also proven to be
Useful idiots for the alt-right, often jumping to the defense of alt-right figures who spin any challenge or opposition to their rhetoric or punishment for their actions as an "attack on free speech". This type of gullibility and manipulation has been proven to be a recruiting method for the alt-right as is presents the alt-righters as misunderstood centrists themselves, who are being silenced by the "evil
SJWs", causing the Enlightened Centrist's audience to become sympathetic towards them, and eager to visit their platform, where the radicalization will take place. Enlightened Cenrists are centrists in name only, and should not be trusted.
Person 1: The "OK" hand-sign has been co-opted by white supremacists and has been turned into a racist
dog whistle
Person 2: OH, SO NOW THE OK HAND-SIGN IS RACIST?!?! THESE SJWS THINK EVERYTHING IS RACIST!!!!!!
Person 3: No, Person 1 didn't say the okay the "OK" hand-sign is racist, but that racist have turned it into a signal. You Enlightened Centrist types really need to stop being so gullible