Independents...

[CTLawGuy]

are not Republicans who forgot to register.

they are practical, non-ideological people who vote based on what they feel is best for them at the time under the current circumstances, based on what they know.

We should treat independents (and non-voters) as opportunities to grow our base by demonstrating how our ideas conform to their values - like how efficient universal health care is, and how we can conduct a sane foreign policy that really protects American interests.

We should NOT assume they are Republicans, thus tacking to the right. Many of them are sympathetic to republicans because republicans are good at selling their message and Democrats haven't been so good at that. When we tack to the right, we legitimate the Repug message.

We need to say "this is what we believe and this is why what we believe is good for YOU."

My main complaint with centrists such as the DLC is that they do not truly understand how to reach indys.

[Demobrat]

1. I'm an independent

who votes Dem or Green. I prefer to vote Dem, but won't vote for somebody who doesn't represent me, regardless of party. I have NEVER voted Repuke, and never will.

[CTLawGuy]

3. thats good

if I ran the party, I would make it my number one goal to create a party where everyone had a full and fair opportunity to decide nominations for political office.

I'd create loyalty by providing people with a real voice. If your guy lost the primary, you'd only have yourself to blame and in return for that voice, you'd happily vote for the nominee.

In a party as big and diverse as ours, this marketplace of ideas model is the only way to attain a majority.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Hmm as a RECENT independent

who DROPPED the Democratic Party as party affilation, yuo may want to know why... certain recent votes by certain reps of mine who CLAIM to be Democrat but who do not conform to my ideology.

(Cought Feinstein Cought)

And so it goes, so my husband and I tend to vote Democratic, will nevr vote for a Puke, but we are also looking at Green Candidates, for we at times cannot stomach the Dems. (Yep Feinstein).

So don't say it is oportunists, but rather what you are missing is that the country is actually raedy for a third party (or clean elections, or both)

[CTLawGuy]

4. there's a difference between opportunism and being practical

I never said independents were opportunists, but are open to argument from multiple positions.

[halobeam]

6. honest question... what was the total vote percentage for Nadar in 04?

I thought it was way below what would make a green party a competitor during the elections at this time in America's history. I just had this discussion with my husband yesterday, he's independent and we don't know the answer to the above question.

I personally don't think the country is ready for a third party, or they'd be a major threat to Democratic and Republican politicians ALIKE. They are still mostly the same threat of taking away a Dem vote and at the same time, it bodes well for the Repub.

This doesn't mean I don't think the country should HAVE a third party. A viable third party would be of the greatest benefit to the USA. Just my opinion. I'd love to hear more from you. Got lots to learn in this area.

ON EDIT: I add, that we deduced an increase in his activism in the grass roots level is vital to building a strong third party.

[CTLawGuy]

7. we don't need a third party

we need a party that can accomodate people of divergent viewpoints. the only way to do that is to encourage primaries, and stop the incumbent protection racket, and to decentralize party control from Washington to the states.

[proud patriot]

5. I used to be green

I'm a Democrat now :hi:

[Don1]

8. I used to be an independent non-voter

Then, I started noticing news media bias...and the attacks on science by the Republicans. It opened up the door for me on how much misinformation is peddled. What makes it much worse is that it is lies for the sake of money, lies that are killing people over in Iraq. So, more than 1 year ago now (I think), I changed my registration to Democrat.

I think you are on to something about the nature of independents. I was never a centrist, I only sought to be anti-establishment and objective. These are also characteristics of the independent non-voters.