Philip Bump has this interesting analysis in the Washington Post about independent voters. He gathers survey research from several leading sources to show that a large majority of voters who tell pollsters that they are independents actually lean to one or the other of the two major parties. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
There’s an old book, “The Myth of the Independent Voter” by Keith et al that analyzes this same point. It’s well worth reading.
How many New Age *politically correct* LIARS talking with the MORON pollsters ???
How about that 1992 Perot stuff about alleged independents ???
The Myth of the Independent Voter is bunk.
So if an indie votes for a Dem or a Rep that is considered leaning toward a majority party? When there are no indie or alternate party options, which we all know is an extremely rare due to onerous ballot access laws, indies make best choices possible given options.
To say that pure independent voters don’t exist and that the lions share “lean” toward another party is an asinine comment.
My suspicion is that most independents end up voting for a major party candidate because they are persuaded by the insidious logic of lesser-evilism and the fear of wasting their vote. Given the status quo, it is not an entirely irrational thing to do — to vote for a major party candidate.
There ARE no independents! We are ALL Demorepublicrats!! It’s in the Constitution I think or maybe in high school government or civics class. Either way it IS true!!!