General Discussion

Xolodno

(7,330 posts)

22. I agree and disagree.

Wed Apr 19, 2017, 10:40 AM

Apr 2017

Yes there are true independents out there, such as those who believe in fiscal responsibility (granted Democrats do that better, but haven't sold that message well) and are pro choice. I could come up with a number of scenario's on this. But, I doubt they are in fact 40%.

Why? There are Republicans out there who call themselves independent. I know of one guy who says he doesn't support any particular party, looks at the issues, etc. Yet votes "R" every single time, spouts right wing talking point, thinks Trump will do a great job, thinks the Russia stuff is fake news, etc. At least his wife admits she's a Republican.

Gotta be careful as to what you label as "independent".

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40% of voters identify themselves as Independent. [View all] panader0 Apr 2017 OP

"independent" used to mean Turbineguy Apr 2017 #1

Not sure where you got that definition. panader0 Apr 2017 #2

In my own experience, it was more like Libertarians were what republi-CONS called themselves calimary Apr 2017 #43

most indies lean one way politically and vote like other party members JI7 Apr 2017 #3

I agree. Democrats need the Independents. panader0 Apr 2017 #5

Did you just read what i said ? they are not a block of voters that are grouped together JI7 Apr 2017 #8

That what I read too- that except for an outlier here and there they reliably vote w either party. bettyellen Apr 2017 #59

I'd say a lot of Indies have a pet issue that is at odds with their other beliefs Amishman Apr 2017 #20

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #4

It also may mean giving the a candidate and or party their vote loyalsister Apr 2017 #18

Yup. I actually think Bernie is 100% correct to identify as Independent Arazi Apr 2017 #6

i used to be independant until.... samnsara Apr 2017 #7

I have always voted Democratic. I'm 66 and have voted panader0 Apr 2017 #9

Can you split that 40% into left v right? NCTraveler Apr 2017 #10

Here's a link: panader0 Apr 2017 #13

You avoided the answer. NCTraveler Apr 2017 #19

Very smart malaise Apr 2017 #11

It seems like there's even more independents up here in New England. PatsFan87 Apr 2017 #12

I vehemently disagree... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #16

If we don't want their say then we don't have the right to complain PatsFan87 Apr 2017 #17

Sick of Bernie being used as a wedge. On DU and in real life. Sanders STILL trashes KittyWampus Apr 2017 #14

His message invited me to the Democratic party retrowire Apr 2017 #26

No Trump and the right trashes dems askyagerz Apr 2017 #53

He's head of outreach for the Democratic party, FFS. And he consistently insults Democrats KittyWampus Apr 2017 #54

Insults? Like Pocahontas or crooked hillary? askyagerz Apr 2017 #57

Bernie is no more or less "genuine" than any other politician. KittyWampus Apr 2017 #58

Maybe, maybe not askyagerz Apr 2017 #60

No, insults like "feeble" and "corrupt" and "ideologically bankrupt". NurseJackie Apr 2017 #62

As Dr phill would say askyagerz Apr 2017 #63

The Democratic party isn't corrupt. Democrats are not feeble or ideologically bankrupt. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #64

We... lost... to... Trump... askyagerz Apr 2017 #65

No that's not what he's doing. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #66

He may not out and out "trash" Democrats like Republicans do Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2017 #72

That can go both ways askyagerz Apr 2017 #80

BS insults the Democratic Party with "feeble" and "can't fight back" Cha Apr 2017 #83

That is calling a spade a spade as far as I'm concerned askyagerz Apr 2017 #85

BS is Wrong.. he's also Wrong on this.. Cha Apr 2017 #87

What Bernie isn't infallible? askyagerz Apr 2017 #88

It's maddening, isn't it? We deserve better. NurseJackie Apr 2017 #61

I wish Al Giordano would primary him. KittyWampus Apr 2017 #71

I only have one problem with that, really... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #15

All of the "Independents" I know reliably vote Republican Orrex Apr 2017 #21

That's my experience too. n/t FSogol Apr 2017 #34

I agree and disagree. Xolodno Apr 2017 #22

Republicans russian hackers targeted lists of Ds and D donors. I don't think party should be listed. Sunlei Apr 2017 #23

NOOO retrowire Apr 2017 #24

Exactly! My hubs has voted Democratic all his life... Duppers Apr 2017 #36

I'm really confused about what it means Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2017 #25

Why don't they join? Maybe because they prefer to be independent of partisan politics? KPN Apr 2017 #35

Yeah Proud Liberal Dem Apr 2017 #42

You're right, the doors are always open. KPN Apr 2017 #82

I'm very close to going back to being Independent (Unaffiliated) bekkilyn Apr 2017 #27

yep lies Apr 2017 #29

Who cares? Do what you want. It's not a big deal as long as you vote for the Dem. n/t seaglass Apr 2017 #51

AMEN! KPN Apr 2017 #28

Many of them are swing voters WomenRising2017 Apr 2017 #30

If the independents support the party platform, come on board. LanternWaste Apr 2017 #31

As the most prominant Independent in the nation, panader0 Apr 2017 #32

What makes anyone think Democratic party is NOT open to Independents? Justice Apr 2017 #33

He's implying our door wasn't open before, which is bullshit Blue_Tires Apr 2017 #37

Party ID doesn't equal turnout or predict voting habits. rogue emissary Apr 2017 #38

those are pesky facts. JHan Apr 2017 #49

Yes, it would be interesting to see how many times he has voted for a Republican. I seaglass Apr 2017 #50

and maybe the independents should reach out as well. BS, why did you not life a finger for Ossoff? niyad Apr 2017 #39

Arguably, Bernie is the most influential independent in US politics. aikoaiko Apr 2017 #40

LOLZ. KittyWampus Apr 2017 #55

Some of us laugh. Some of us cry. aikoaiko Apr 2017 #56

A very important post for Democrats kentuck Apr 2017 #41

I'm guessing white men make up the bulk of that 40%. nt LexVegas Apr 2017 #44

of course Skittles Apr 2017 #84

Um, they already have. lark Apr 2017 #45

The Democratic Party has ALWAYS been open to Independents and republicans. George II Apr 2017 #46

We just allow the most prominent one to run as the head of our ticket.... SaschaHM Apr 2017 #47

Obviously not here on DU. panader0 Apr 2017 #67

DU isn't the Democratic Party. George II Apr 2017 #68

Are you Canadian? panader0 Apr 2017 #70

I am registered unenrolled and have never voted for a non-Democrat. The majority of voters seaglass Apr 2017 #48

Lots of these "independents" are racists who voted for Trump for that reason. Eliot Rosewater Apr 2017 #52

Bernie was suggesting open primaries standingtall Apr 2017 #69

The idea of "open primaries" is dumb. It's dilluting the party for the sake of the the lazy... NurseJackie Apr 2017 #73

So that Republicans can vote for the most conservative or weakest nominee? pnwmom Apr 2017 #75

But 40% aren't Bernie-style progressive independents. pnwmom Apr 2017 #74

Agreed. But this pool of voters needs to be tapped. panader0 Apr 2017 #76

I would feel better about Bernie if he didn't keep disparaging Democrats. pnwmom Apr 2017 #79

being independent is NOT the same as belonging to an Independent Party Fresh_Start Apr 2017 #77

The party is open to everyone BainsBane Apr 2017 #78

Most independents think they are superior or are apolitical MichMan Apr 2017 #81

Bernie is smart madokie Apr 2017 #86