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OMG!!! guytonfox May 2016 #1
Hello. bigwillq May 2016 #18
Some just dont feel represented by the parties in power ShrimpPoboy May 2016 #2
Agreed, it's not a monolithic group. Garrett78 May 2016 #15
Independents are the people whose votes you need to win Bjorn Against May 2016 #3
I'm not sure where you get the idea that I want Democrats to lose every single election. Garrett78 May 2016 #10
Well you are not going to get any independent votes if Democrats push crap like we see in the OP Bjorn Against May 2016 #14
What's insulting about my OP? Garrett78 May 2016 #16
The fact that you suggest they are a myth is insulting Bjorn Against May 2016 #17
I put the term in quotes because clearly not all are "independent" in any true sense. Garrett78 May 2016 #21
If a person does not belong to a political party they are an independent Bjorn Against May 2016 #26
Sure. Garrett78 May 2016 #29
What? The OP is not saying that at all. brush May 2016 #51
Yeah, I addressed that above. Garrett78 May 2016 #57
And they are the largest of the electorate at 44% of all voters. floriduck May 2016 #79
They aren't united, though. Garrett78 May 2016 #81
I agree. But that could change based on the bizarre nature of this years election. nm floriduck May 2016 #82
Most "Independents" I've met are Libertarians. Most of them are racist and callous. Hoyt May 2016 #4
Might have a lot to do with it. nt villager May 2016 #7
People who refuse to vote for labels and think for themselves. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2016 #5
That applies across the spectrum. Garrett78 May 2016 #19
It would be interesting to see a long term sadoldgirl May 2016 #6
It would. Garrett78 May 2016 #23
People like me, who have been loyal Democrats for over 4 decades, Zorra May 2016 #8
I can't recall making a pro-Clinton post. Garrett78 May 2016 #12
I am registered as "unaffiliated", or independent of any party. Life member of int'l union,.... dmosh42 May 2016 #83
Then there are those of us who think the Democrats really suck, and the Republicans... immoderate May 2016 #9
+++ frylock May 2016 #13
What are your interests? Garrett78 May 2016 #20
Fair wages, fair trade, renewable energy, common-sense drug laws, non-interventionism. frylock May 2016 #22
Sounds like Green Party to me. FWIW, I support those things, as well. Garrett78 May 2016 #25
I register as a Democrat. I mostly dislike the Democrats but... immoderate May 2016 #41
Sounds like Bernie to me. And my issues as well. JudyM May 2016 #40
I'm registered as 'No Party Preference' because I have no Party preference. frylock May 2016 #11
Blowing in the wind. LiberalFighter May 2016 #24
"Or because they are 'liberal' on some issues and 'conservative' on others." CompanyFirstSergeant May 2016 #27
Or...they are just simply able to think for themselves without having to be told how to think. n/t michaz May 2016 #28
See post #19. Garrett78 May 2016 #30
Guess this proves my point! n/t michaz May 2016 #32
Which is what? Garrett78 May 2016 #34
Some people are better at thinking for themselves than others. michaz May 2016 #37
I don't have much issue with any of what you just wrote. Garrett78 May 2016 #38
And add all that to being able to think for themselves and you will have it. michaz May 2016 #39
Okay. Garrett78 May 2016 #42
Obviously any one that chooses to can be an independent. It is their choice. But michaz May 2016 #46
Some people are just not that engaged... Yurovsky May 2016 #31
Absolutely. Garrett78 May 2016 #33
They are 40% of the electorate AgingAmerican May 2016 #35
But most typically vote for one party or the other. Garrett78 May 2016 #36
They are 40% of the electorate AgingAmerican May 2016 #45
Yet most are, in fact, party loyalists. Garrett78 May 2016 #56
Some people are registered Independents because they are sick to death of the bjo59 May 2016 #43
I'm an indy pinebox May 2016 #44
Registrared Green for over twenty years but changed it to (D) for Bernie in California nolabels May 2016 #48
Most Dems favor all those things you listed brush May 2016 #53
me too and I'm with you 100% dana_b May 2016 #63
Independents are fashionistas. randome May 2016 #47
Well. Do you want to offend an entire voting bloc? VulgarPoet May 2016 #49
Wasn't the point of the OP that independents aren't actually a bloc in any real sense? nemo137 May 2016 #55
Exactly. Garrett78 May 2016 #58
Interestingly, LWolf May 2016 #50
I don't think you can generalize that way. People are independent for all kinds of reasons. yellowcanine May 2016 #52
I've done the exact opposite of "generalize" in both the OP and throughout this thread. Garrett78 May 2016 #60
The many independents I know are thoughtful, discerning free thinkers democrank May 2016 #54
I am unenrolled but never call myself an independent. I do have a bias for Dems as that is the only seaglass May 2016 #59
Agreed. Garrett78 May 2016 #61
No they are not a voting bloc. Trying to create a political party around independents would be seaglass May 2016 #62
"because they think it gives the impression that they are unbiased, critical thinkers" dana_b May 2016 #64
Do you really not think that's true for *some* who self-identify as "independent?" Garrett78 May 2016 #65
your entire post is insulting to indys n/t dana_b May 2016 #66
You didn't answer my question. Garrett78 May 2016 #67
I never suggested any such thing dana_b May 2016 #68
If I give a variety of reasons why people self-identify as "independent"... Garrett78 May 2016 #70
Or we're to the left of both major parties. eom TransitJohn May 2016 #69
There is no "we," though. Garrett78 May 2016 #72
So I'm not allowed to include myself in a group I self identify with? TransitJohn May 2016 #73
Of course you can. Garrett78 May 2016 #76
You exposed your limited thought process. Oops! pdsimdars May 2016 #71
By pointing out that there are a variety of reasons why people self-identify as "independent?" Garrett78 May 2016 #74
They are a group of voters the majority of whom will not vote for Clinton... leeroysphitz May 2016 #75
Just as a majority didn't vote for Obama in 2012. Garrett78 May 2016 #77
Are party loyalists unbiased? Are they critical thinkers when they vote for a label? Tierra_y_Libertad May 2016 #78
It's hard to say. Garrett78 May 2016 #80
There are no facts, only interpretations. Friedrich Nietzsche Tierra_y_Libertad May 2016 #84
Agreed. Garrett78 May 2016 #85
Does it matter? They represent 39% of the voting public, and Socialism appeals to them. lumberjack_jeff May 2016 #86
Socialism appeals to *some* of them. Garrett78 May 2016 #87
Enough do that it's vitally important to the DNC and the Clinton campaign to keep them out. n/t lumberjack_jeff May 2016 #88
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