Who are the "independents?"

[DonCoquixote]

Disclaimer: I have no doubt that there are some legitmately that distrust both Dems and GOP. However, the use of the term "independents" as against Obama or the left has been used to keep this country solidly in the right. This is where I ask:

One: are the "independents" realy just GOP that are embrassed to own the Bush years?
Two: are there rreally as many of them as the media claims?

[catbyte]

1. Aren't they like 3-4% of voters?

If you believe the pundits, 47% are hardened Democrats, 47% are hardened Republicans and the 3-4% decide the election. I don't know if I believe that, but that's what the so-called "experts" say.


Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Leo, Sophie, Taz & Nigel, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"We ride inside--HISS!”

[JoePhilly]

2. Yes, and No ... respectively.

There aren't a lot of true independents.

Most of the independents I know used to be Republicans. They voted for Bush twice and hate to admit it. They now struggle to maintain their small government low tax stance. They also seem to be scared to become Dems.

Oh, most of them are men, married to women who are democrats. So we'll probably get a couple of them.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. The same assholes you run into who talk about how big government has gotten but can't

Last edited Fri May 18, 2012, 11:04 AM - Edit history (1)

provide any examples. Both parties blah blah blah, yet can't tell you how each party is to blame. Then they tell you that we need a "business man" to dig us out of the hole. As the previous 98 years never happened. Usually suburban intellectually lazy self important jagoffs....... Reading some replies here. I will amend to say that I've met a lot of people as described above but of course it doesn't apply to actual independents who pay attention.

[Fresh_Start]

4. I'm a lifelong independent

don't intend to change.

I think there are problems with a two party system.
I can't recall the last time I voted for a republican for national office: not sure if I ever have.
Its a philosophy.

[Fresh_Start]

5. I guess the reason for independence

is I see flaws in both parties.
But I think voters reflexively voting the party line is big part of the problem.
I honestly hope that if voters informed themselves, they would make better decisions.
I've seen too many people, say I've always been a republican: my family has always been republican....and I do believe that is part of the problem, too.

[Bandit]

6. I am now and have been for over forty years an "Independent"

I am an issue voter and not a Party faithful... although I believe there are not many more Liberal than myself..I would not support either a Zell Miller or a Ben Nelson no matter how many Ds they had after their name...

[ctaylors6]

7. one of my sisters is a proud independent

In fact, we frequently use her as the barometer of political issues. It's fascinating to talk to her about politics (putting aside the sometimes scary lack of logic).

She refuses to register for a party. Even when she's lived in states that always elect candidates from one party, she won't register for the party even to vote in the primary.

She has probably voted pretty close to evenly Rep vs Dem.

In last 5 presidential elections, she voted for Perot, Clinton, Bush, Nadar, Obama.

One of my other sisters doesn't claim to be an independent, but I kind of think of her as independent. She usually registers Republican because she likes to vote in primaries (has lived in deeply red states recently). She's devoutly Catholic - anti-war, anti death penalty, anti choice, works a lot with catholic charities. She's actually one of the people I call truly "pro life" - she's very consistent that way. One of my relatives calls her something like the Jesus is a socialist kind of Catholic. She voted for Obama but has voted for Rep presidents in past.

[DonCoquixote]

8. Like I said

I do not doubt that there are people who are independent, but the media is making no distiniction between those that still lean GOP, but are ashamed to admit they voted for a Bush, and those who genuinely say "to hell with the donkey and the elephant!"

[mmonk]

9. Independents are usually clueless voters but a few are disgusted voters

with no alternative options in their states. The split between clueless and disgusted is probably 90% clueless to 10% disgusted.

[Xyzse]

10. I consider myself an Independent.

I have not registered for either party and like being unattached to either.
It allows me to keep friends too by the way as I dislike limiting myself to either party. In this sense, I do not feel any tribal familiarity to either group. I can equally bash on Democrat/Republican alike depending on their action while trying to see the world in their view.

Thing is, I voted GW Bush in 2000 I was young didn't know better, and got suckered in to thinking maybe it is ok particularly when he just said "I just want to do the best I can do". I just didn't realize what direction that was.
So I voted against him 04, then voted for Obama 08 despite many misgivings.

It depends to me who makes more sense.

In State politics, I've voted for some Republicans, Independents though mostly Democrats. I am a huge fan of Donna Edwards.

So no, I am not someone who is just too embarassed to be part of the GOP as I consider the current GOP as a cult. Until I see more sanity in their side, I don't see myself being able to vote for any of them at this time.

[DonCoquixote]

11. fair enough

Though i do think the media are trying to pggyback people behind you. You do what you do out of courage, others, out of hiding.

[otohara]

12. Dummies Who Let The Rest of Us Choose The Candidate(s)

in the primaries. What is "independent" about that?

They are unaffiliated- but think they are independent
I've talked to many while phone-banking, they go back/forth - no particular reason why, just impatient and apathetic.