Is there any room for uncommitted Independents here?

[everdene]

I know that the DU is pretty hard-core (not in a bad way), and I was just wondering.

How are Independents looked at? As future Dems? As low-lifes because they will not even commit to a party? You tell me.

Just curious. Thank you for your thoughts.

[corporatewhore]

1. some people will try to hang ya for not swearing to vote dem no matter who

is elected

[Toucano]

2. Jump on a bandwagon or get the hell out!

Just teasing...

I'm sure there's room for anyone who's progressive and wants to learn before they decide. Welcome! :)

[THUNDER HANDS]

3. why aren't you registered with a party?

How long have you been Independent?

[everdene]

8. I've been an Independent since 1990

I'm in my fifties so I have voted different ways in different decades.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. There are thousands of members of DU

. . . you will get thousands of different opinions.

Welcome.

[lastknowngood]

5. An open mind is always welcome

just be aware if your looking for sympathy you better try the dictionary.

[bain_sidhe]

6. At the moment...

I'd rather pick your brain than run you off...

So, what do you think of the current crop of Dem candidates? What kind of policies or appeal would bring you over to the Dem side for the 2004 elections?

Be forwarned though, this forum is a bit of a warzone right now. There are a lot of bullets flying around, so keep your head down!

But, nonetheless... Welcome! :hi:

[everdene]

12. Pick MY brain??? I pick your brains every single day!

And, am glad for the opportunity. Thanks. BTW, Skinner should be nominated for that Nobel Peace Prize, doncha think?

When I first registered, I was upfront about it and wrote an e-mail to "the powers that be" saying I am registered as an Independent and therefore would not raise any "stink" or cause a problem if I didn't agree with something. I did not think would be fair since I feel like an outsider still.

I watch every debate with the TV on over my shoulder and updating the DU Debate Thread like a madwoman. I want to get it all. The folks on here have every minute point nailed before the cable news can even begin to process anything.

To me, everyone of the Dems has some clearly legitimate points to make and facts to back them up.

I'm still undecided but, boy, have I learned a lot.

Don't count me out because I'm not officially Dem. P.S. I grew up in the sixties so I've seen my own war zones.

Thanks.

[NV1962]

7. You're welcome

How you're looked at, in this primary season? Hungry!

:evilgrin:

As long as you feel loosely comfortable within the broader progressive community, you'll probably do fine here - it's not a Gulag!

[welshTerrier2]

9. i often wonder

where the conventional wisdom about independents is right ... long before the primaries began, we used to argue on DU about whether we should try to move the party (the democratic party) to the left or whether it would be better to try to appeal to independents with a more moderate message ...

i for one never really thought of independents as necessarily being centrists ... in fact, until last week i was officially listed on the Massachusetts voting rolls as "unenrolled" ... they used to call us independents until they realized there was a party with that name ... now we're just amorphous blobs ... anyway, i consider myself far to the left of the democratic party although i always vote with the democrats ...

i just don't understand why independents are viewed as "stuck between" the two parties ... if anything, i'm stuck between the dems and the greens ...

to answer your question, we're looking for progressives around here ... i think the focus is more on your ideas than your party label ... at least i hope so ... these are strange times here on DU ...

[mgc1961]

10. Come on in.

You'll find all kinds of political persuasions swinging through here.

Just because it's called Democratic Underground doesn't mean you have to vote Democrat...but it sure would help.

Personally, I'm a recovering Republican. I've been clean for about 14 years.



:toast:

[everdene]

13. My closest family members are Freepers

My husband, daughter and son-in-law are hardcore Repub. It was kind of funny because when my son-in-law came to visit last week, I asked him to do something to my computer and he saw the DU in the top five of my favorites.

He didn't comment on it but I saw "the look."

[Toucano]

14. What a rush!

To be caught being a little subversive! Kudos!

[everdene]

15. Well, I can tell you that the silence was deafening about that icon

[Clark Can WIN]

11. Keep your asbestos suit handy and you will be fine.

Personally, let me welcome you to DU and welcome your possible vote and certainly your consideration.

:toast:

[lurk_no_more]

16. We don't like them....Go away!

It's a joke son....laugh!

Actually my favorite candidate was an Independent before switching to Democrat in order to run for President.

Welcome aboard!!!!


And then there were none!
” JAFO”

[everdene]

18. lurk_no_more.....Thanks for the welcome

I think pretty soon I'm gonna feel welcome enough to do what it takes to get a star beside my name.

[KaraokeKarlton]

17. I'm an Independent, and there are quite a few of us here

I support Dean, so I'm not uncommitted. I live in Vermont and know he's a damn great leader. He did a lot of things that made my life a lot better. I would urge you to go to www.deanforamerica.com and check out his issues pages. If you are big on the 2nd Amendment, Dean is fair on gun issues, coming from a big hunting state. Check him out.