[roamer_1]

[...] and we would lose independents.

Well, since the biggest voting block is Conservatives, and fully 60% of Conservatives now stand outside of the Republican party... Where do you suppose those Conservatives are, and how do you appeal to them? I think worrying about 'upsetting the independents' is ill-informed and a misdirection.... We ARE the independents.

[EternalVigilance]

Great point. But, of course, like French generals, they’re always fighting the last war, and learning absolutely nothing from any set of circumstances.

[what's up]

Generally, indies are considered those who don't identify themselves as liberal or conservative.

Independents swung the congressional election in '06 and won Pelosi the Speakership; they also went for Obama over McCain.

We don't want them swinging Obama's way again.