In Arkansas, centrist Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln failed to win a majority of votes in the primary against a left-leaning challenger, and is headed to a June run-off for her party's nomination.

VOA: standard.2010.05.19

But recent public opinion polls show him losing support within those groups and many experts say his ability to win back centrist voters could determine whether he will emerge victorious in the health care debate.

VOA: standard.2009.09.28

Mr.Olmert's centrist Kadima party forced him to resign a year ago, after an American Jewish businessman testified that he gave him envelopes stuffed with cash to support a lavish lifestyle, including fancy hotels, expensive cigars and first-class travel.

VOA: standard.2009.09.25

Some centrist Democrats, such as Senator Claire McCaskill of Missouri, also criticized the way the president rolled out the new defense plan, and some questioned the intelligence behind the change in strategy to focus moreon short and mid-range missiles from Iran.

VOA: standard.2009.09.24