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Mavericks? Independents far outnumber Republicans and Democrats - and it’s recordbreaking
Washington Times ^ | 1/8/2015 | Jennifer Harper

Posted on 01/28/2015 10:25:11 AM PST by Dr. Thorne

Republican, Democrat — and Maverick? We already know that Americans are weary of Congress, the White House, gridlock and government. Now that ire has inspired voter defections: The number of self-described ‘independents” is at a record high level says substantive new Gallup research. “An average 43 percent of Americans identified politically as independents in 2014,” says analyst Jeffrey M. Jones, who also reports the number is the highest since the pollster began tracking the phenomenon in 1988.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; politicalparty
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To: SMARTY
I don’t get people who call themselves ‘independent’.

As the morphing of the democrats and repulicans has now resulted in a "uniparty", you'll probably see more independents. I prefer "arch-conservative" to describe myself.

41 posted on 01/28/2015 12:53:32 PM PST by Sans-Culotte (Psalm 14:1 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”)
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To: Sans-Culotte

I’m thinking too of all the politicians who fund raise, campaign and succeed to office calling themselves ‘independent’ ... then go to DC and vote lock step with the Liberals


42 posted on 01/28/2015 1:07:44 PM PST by SMARTY ("When you blame others, you give up your power to change." Robert Anthony)
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To: SMARTY

Bingo!! I know “independents” who voted for O$hithead, only to run for cover as indies when they figgered out how stupid they were. But they are liberals—just cowards to admit it.


43 posted on 01/28/2015 1:14:42 PM PST by SgtHooper (Anyone who remembers the 60's, wasn't there!)
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To: zek157

I guess my point was that so called ‘independents’ aren’t in any way shape or form moderates.


44 posted on 01/28/2015 1:27:35 PM PST by Beagle8U (NOTICE : Unattended children will be given Coffee and a Free Puppy.)
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To: EternalVigilance

I consider myself an independent and yet very conservative. Show me a candidate that acts and behaves the way Reagan did or Cruz does and I will support them. The (R) in front of the name means nothing at this point for me as it has come to symbolize the same corruption and progressive policies as the (D).


45 posted on 01/28/2015 1:43:34 PM PST by sarge83
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To: discostu

How about a actual 2nd opposition party for a change, we haven’t a semblance of one since 1995.


46 posted on 01/28/2015 1:44:52 PM PST by sarge83
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To: sarge83

I’d say even longer than that. Parties are about power, not ideology. In the end they want the seats and the authority, but they’re generally careful not to make the rules such that when they don’t have the seats (because eventually they always won’t) they won’t be completely hosed. This is why it’s always the minority party talking big about things like line item veto and changing floor rules and the minute they have the majority all that silly talk just evaporates. Because both parties share the mutual goal of being able to function and win votes when they’re the minority the level of “opposition” between them has always been largely one of rhetoric when addressing their “base”. There’s good reasons why the Founders seriously discussed outlawing political parties, unfortunately they couldn’t come up with a way to that didn’t invalidate certain other vital ideas in the 1st (it’s kind of hard to give people the right to assemble except not that assembly).


47 posted on 01/28/2015 1:52:40 PM PST by discostu (The albatross begins with its vengeance A terrible curse a thirst has begun)
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To: SMARTY
January 28, 2015 at 3:07:44 PM CST · 42 of 47 SMARTY to Sans-Culotte I’m thinking too of all the politicians who fund raise, campaign and succeed to office calling themselves ‘independent’ ... then go to DC and vote lock step with the Liberals.

You'd think Joe Lieberman at least would have forsaken the 'rats after they stabbed him in the back, but no.

48 posted on 01/28/2015 4:20:54 PM PST by Sans-Culotte (Psalm 14:1 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”)
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To: SgtHooper

Y U P!!


49 posted on 01/29/2015 3:51:17 AM PST by SMARTY ("When you blame others, you give up your power to change." Robert Anthony)
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