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Every once in awhile its worth taking the time to stop, breathe, and for a moment, try and make sense of it all. In this new piece from Rochelle Gurstein over at TNR.com, there are plenty of questions but few answers. As I've mentioned before, for example here and here, I think we're working our way to a transition point in American history, one that will once again redefine American politics for an entire generation.

Although I don't think the outcome is foreordained, I do suspect that this nation will move back towards the left, struggling once again to find the center. Reagan was a realignment that brought us back towards center after decades of moving left under the leadership of the New Deal coalition. But in the 25+ years since his election, we've moved past the center and towards the right. With the radical right now in control of the GOP, they'll continue to pull us towards their edge until we as a people rise up and say "enough!"

My hope had been that 2004 would be that election. In hindsight it is abundantly clear to me why it was not. Yes yes, I agree, Kerry was not the man to lead the realignment. But much more important, I suspect, was the simple fact that the American public was not yet ready to realign.

Why? Looking back at the polls, it seems to me that the ability of the GOP to mismatch their words and deeds has not yet run its course. America did not yet understand just how radical their agenda truly is. That, combined with skillful use of the fear of terror by our "wartime President," and its no wonder Bush won reelection.

But these past few weeks, all the signs suggest that is beginning to change. Yes, I know, the Schiavo drama has been a boon for the GOP's ability to play to its far right constituency. But it is not the fringe that forces realignments. It is the center. It is their decision to move from left to right to left that tilts the balance of power in this nation. And in Schiavo, the "center" of the body politic was clearly aligned against the GOP.

And think on that for a moment. When was the last time that so large a majority stood against the Republican Party? And at the same time, when was the last time an issue so clearly matched GOP word and deed? I personally cannot think of it. For a brief moment, the public saw the true face of the Republican party. For a brief moment, the leaders of the party let down their guard. And for a brief moment, the center recoiled, moving away from the party in power and back towards the center.

What will this mean for the future? Where, as Gurstein asks, are we? I don't know. But I suspect it won't be long before we find out.