Independent is code for left wing leaning Dem.
"Independent is code for left wing leaning Dem."
No, it is not.
Just do the math.
35% Republican registration.
35% Democrat registration.
The other 30% are Independents.
If what you said were true, Republicans would be in a hopeless minority everywhere, every election.
But they are not.
They aren't because Independents are independent.
They don't like either party enough to join.
They vote the way they think is best.
Tonight, they voted against the Republicans.
In 2004, 2002 and 2000, they voted with them.
If they were left wing leaning Dem, the Republicans would never have any hope.
Republicans cannot win relying on just Republicans. They have to have broader appeal.