Self-identifying as a centrist is perhaps the most cynical and amoral political identity you can have because you're just openly admitting your beliefs aren't really beliefs they're just strategic positions that only exist relative to others in the room you happen to be in

Being a centrist to win elections in a country without ranked choice voting isn't a philosophical stance it's a pragmatic one. Having beliefs that you won't compromise is wonderful if your lack of flexibility won't ensure your erasure if your team loses an election but not evry1 has that privilege