About Us
Who We Are
Third Way is a think tank that answers America’s challenges with modern ideas aimed at the center. We advocate for private-sector economic growth, a tough and smart centrist security strategy, a clean energy revolution, and progress on divisive social issues, all through a moderate-led U.S. politics.
A major profile in POLITICO noted that Third Way has emerged as the new leader of the moderate movement and is positioned “‘front and center’ on the main issues in the national debate.” Reuters proclaimed in 2011 that Third Way is “the future of think tanks” while The New York Times wrote Third Way “has become a constant presence in . . . Washington.”
What We Believe
Too often, our national debates are defined by the rigid or outdated orthodoxies of both the left and right. This polarization leads to ideologically driven policies and political gridlock, and it drowns out the voices of millions of Americans in the forgotten middle.
We believe there is a better way, a “third way”—one that discards the false choices presented by both sides. This third way philosophy is ideal for fostering the most effective and emergent approaches to major problems—ones that can attract the plurality of citizens who represent the political center and whose support is crucial to effective and credible governance.
What We Do
With a staff of 40 and four policy programs, including Economics, National Security, Clean Energy, and Social Policy & Politics, our work includes: drafting and marketing concise and easy-to-use issue papers and reports; conducting original public opinion research and writing politically savvy strategy and framing memos; and hosting briefings, “Idea Forums,” and trainings for advocates, thought-leaders, and government officials.
Unlike traditional think tanks, which focus on producing academic-oriented papers, we aggressively market our ideas to policymakers and advocates to maximize their impact on the national debate. Third Way’s policy and political work has been incorporated into President Obama’s State of the Union address, introduced in more than fifty bills in Congress, included as part of major bipartisan budget deals and the President’s Deficit Commission recommendations, cited by the Vice President’s Task Force on the Middle Class, and used by dozens of campaigns, from first-time House candidates to the Senate Majority Leader.
What They Say
Many in the media have noted our impact, including: David Brooks (on the economy), POLITICO (on immigration and health care reform), The New Yorker (on abortion), Joe Klein (on security), EJ Dionne (on the culture divide), The New York Times (on the role of moderates), The Wall Street Journal (on economic growth), The Washington Post (on energy reform), as well as NPR, and all of the broadcast and cable television networks.
