The Myth of the Independent Voter

[Pressing-On]

National Politics
By Amy Walter, January 15, 2014
The Myth of the Independent Voter

Last week, Gallup released polling that showed a whopping 42 percent of Americans identified themselves as independent - the highest percentage ever recorded by the polling institution.

"Americans' increasing shift to independent status has come more at the expense of the Republican Party than the Democratic Party."

In other words, these one-time GOP-identified voters are now identifying themselves as independents. This is what helps to explain how Republicans can win the independent vote and still lose an election.

More important, however, is the misconception that these voters are embracing an "independent " status because they want their party to pursue a more moderate agenda, or to move to the middle instead of catering to the extreme. In fact, there is evidence that they are abandoning their party labels for the exact opposite reason: they see the party as moving too far from its core values.

In other words, those who call themselves "independent" may actually be closer to the views of the core GOP or core Democratic policy positions than even those who identify themselves as a party member.

http://cookpolitical.com/story/6608

[Aquila]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. Thought CC1 might want to learn a little about the Independent voter he so often distains.

[Aquila]

I find myself with strong libertarian leanings. I can't stand either of the two leading parties.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I find myself with strong libertarian leanings. I can't stand either of the two leading parties.

I'd be more inclined to be a social conservative Libertarian. So, I wouldn't define myself as a strong Libertarian. I do align myself more with the Independents who have abandoned the Republican Party because they have left their core values.

I was listening to Pat Caddell, a Democrat pollster, who stated that the GOP Establishment wants the IRS to go after the Tea Party groups because they interfere with their power structure.

"Because the Tea Parties are an outside threat to their power hold and I'm telling you the lobbying consulting class of the Republican party and Republican leadership who have been attacking the Tea Parties, and alienating them, they want the IRS to do this,"

This is what the GOP Establishment is to me and why I can say - Hang the GOP.

Now watch the GOP, along with the mainstream media, blaming Rand Paul for "bringing" up Monica Lewinsky when all he did was answer a question posed to him on the subject. Now they are turning it around saying that Rand is waging war with Hillary. He might be, but not on this issue. And even though he has a good point, because she defended Bill, Rand wasn't the one that brought up the subject in the first place. BUT, the GOP will use it against him. I've already seen them doing it - Charles Krauthammer, etc.

This is why they lose. They won't stand on principle, and they will fight anyone, i.e. Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, etc. who will.

[Pressing-On]

Here is the clip on the exchange with Senator Rand Paul.

GAYLE KING: Can you comment about your recent comments about Bill Clinton and the Monica Lewinsky affair? I know you didn't bring it up.

PAUL: Do I have to?

KING: Yes. If you wouldn't mind. I know you didn't bring it up and you were responding to another question. But what difference does that make and what good comes of that now two decades later? What do you hope will come of that conversation?

PAUL: Well, the only reason I'm bringing it up is people keep asking me. If you ask me a question, I most likely will answer the question.

http://mrc.org/biasalerts/echoing-hi...nces-does-make

Just watch how the Establishment wing of the GOP treats this in the future. It's a good indicator of who they really are. Just as dishonest as Mika Brzezinski and her threats of "sexism" and "they won't get away with it".