All Hail the ‘Consensus’ Candidate

“All Hail the ‘Consensus’ Candidate” is the title of a 2024 opinion piece by political analyst John M. Klein published in *The Atlantic*. The article critiques the growing tendency in U.S. elections for parties to rally behind a centrist “consensus” candidate—someone perceived as broadly acceptable to both parties—arguing that this strategy can dilute clear policy positions, suppress grassroots movements, and ultimately undermine democratic accountability. Klein uses recent primary races and the 2024 presidential election as case studies to illustrate how the pursuit of consensus can shape candidate selection and voter choice. Views Nigeria