Cross-posted from Poli-Tea. The new Pew Research poll on political Independents and the midterm vote has been widely circulated in the political blogosphere, yet analysis of the survey has been rather superficial, to say the least, with most commentators focusing on the apparent Republican advantage over Democrats among Independent voters. Others have added that the Independent vote will prove decisive in this year’s election. But how could it be otherwise? There are more Independents than there are Democrats or Republicans! Compared to Pew’s past surveys, a record number of Americans identify themselves as Independents (37%), who now outnumber Democrats (34%) and Republicans (29%):
The survey also inquired into the previous partisan affiliation(s) of individuals who call themselves Independents. Most independents say that they did not identify as Democrats or Republicans over the last five years (46%), but a roughly equivalent number are either former Democrats or Republicans (22% and 23%, respectively). Asked why they identify as Independents, the majority state that they do not trust either major party; that they believe the Democratic and Republican parties pander to special interests rather than represent the interests of average Americans; and that they agree with Republicans on some issues and with Democrats on others. This squares with the group’s ideological composition: self-described moderates outnumber conservatives and liberals among Independents, 43% to 36% and 16%, respectively.
Finally, demonstrating the pollster’s inability to think about Independents independently of the frame provided by the Democratic-Republican duopoly form, the poll breaks down Independents into five different subgroups, based on their ideological and demographic profiles: Shadow Democrats, Shadow Republicans, Doubting Democrats, the Disaffected and the Disengaged.
At this time, it looks like the oil-friendly country is gambling on Iraq oil again, citing a big government & deficit, and therefore the world-wide stimulus package worth trillions and health care reform in America are now at stake.
Gambling on party of “no idea” is sure to be much like Throwing an Egg of Economy Against The Wall.
Of the money by the money for the money is getting a society nowhere near prosperity
The recovered stock market value alone, around $1.5 trillion, is nearly twice as much as the stimulus package, set aside all the other benefits.
My response to the question : where are jobs ?
In the trade deficit, exactly in the severe and persistent oil money spill, taboo of ” do not add to the deficit” party.
Donating 35 million to Ron Paul was so foolish. Everybody who did that should hang their heads in shame. To somewhat make up for that they should contribute to Bob Milnes campaign. Then they could feel better about themselves.
All the LP and GP is my vote! My one vote and they will win! I have one dollar for them, too! They don’t need it, but if they took my dollar, they would win twice!
& what would it take to shake things up?
For one, if the LP & GP announced they were both going to try a new strategy. & that could result in a close plurality victory. & that they always had enough votes if the voters would really vote how they believe rather than lesser of 2 evils in order to not waste their vote.
Yes, try guilt among other things. A little guilt can go a long way. Just ask your parents -or children!
& on election day we get the score. Usually very few voters vote for an actual Independent & most actual Independents are actually recycled dems or reps. Fewer yet vote libertarian or green or CP. Fewer yet write-in.
So, bottom line is indepndents actually vote pretty much like everybody else-lesser of 2 evils in order to not waste their vote.