The primaries are almost complete, and despite the polarizing politics swirling throughout this election, there are signs of hope for moderates and those who reject the ridged policies of the Bush administration.

In Rhode Island this week, incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee, a moderate Republican opposed to the war in Iraq, won more than 50 percent of the vote after a close race with his conservative challenger, Stephen Laffey.

As the country struggles to balance its political beliefs, moderates like Chafee and Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., take the brunt of the criticism when the country should be looking toward those politically in the middle. Dividing Americans into two factions hasn't helped the country — it only makes people believe they should turn against one another instead of uniting for change.

Politics in the United States has become a blood sport, with both parties absurdly squabbling about what party hates terrorism more. The finger-pointing does not improve the country, nor does it add anything to the debate about President Bush's ubiquitous "war on terror."

What the country needs is compromise, and its electing politicians that sit in the center of the political spectrum will help the country more than supporting far-left or far-right candidates.