Politicians, pundits and reporters often talk about the need to appeal to independent voters as if people who have the inability to articulate a clear position are capable of forming an organized group.
Voters who don't identify with either party don't have a unified platform or common point of view. So-called "independents" are registered that way for myriad reasons that have nothing to do with political philosophy.
IDEOLOGICAL BREAKDOWN OF "INDEPENDENT" VOTERS
Campaigns are misguided to think they can reach these disparate types by adopting some middle of the road, wishy-washy, one-size-fits-all position. Instead, the groups need to be marketed to in different ways:
GROUP 1 -- BANDWAGON VOTERS (32%): Don't understand politics but like voting for the
winner.
These geniuses have voted for every president since time began. They're the one group that is actually swayed by polls. They routinely vote against their own self-interest, such as the bigots who voted for Obama, the unemployed who back the Tea Party and the literate who chose Bush over Kerry. Outside of politics, these are America's Snuggie purchasers, tattooed hipsters and "fans" who put Lakers flags on their cars in time for the playoffs. They are followers and ass-kissers who, if they ever had an original thought, would need a Prozac prescription to tamp it down. How to reach them: Convince them you're going to win.
GROUP 2 -- BUM THROWERS (27%): Contrarians who vote against whoever's
in power.
What is Christmas dinner without an uncle showing his intelligence by declaring that all incumbents should be tossed out on their asses? Members of this group are blessed with the divine gift of making those with well-reasoned points of view feel like naive clods. Their sneering interrogatory, "Can't you see that Democrats and Republicans are all the same?" leaves us feeling like the playground narc justifying why we finked on the cool kids. Never mind that theirs is a fatally flawed proposition that acknowledges whomever they elect, no matter how virtuous, is instantly transformed into a bum the moment he or she takes office. How to reach them: Convince them the other guy is the incumbent.
GROUP 3 -- LESSER EVIL LOVERS (17%): Believe that everyone on the ballot is fatally
flawed, so they vote for the least qualified.
Similar to group 2 but caring less about incumbency, these are those magical gnomes known as "swing voters" who decide close elections based solely on the viciousness of a candidate's attack ads. These folks couldn't articulate the difference between Sarah Palin and Nancy Pelosi unless a TV commercial told them one of them boils kittens. It is this tiny slice of the electorate for which the lion's share of campaign cash is directed. How to reach them: Paint your opponent as a God-hating, terrorist-loving philandering tax cheat with ugly kids.
GROUP 4 -- DUMMIES (13%): Confused by the voter registration form and
intended to pick Democrat or Republican.
We run into these voters every primary election when they're in front of us in line at the polling place and can't understand why they don't get to vote for whichever party they think they belong to. Granted, voter registration forms are pretty complicated -- besides your name and address, you're required to check a box. How to reach them: Don't bother. Assuming they even make it into the polling booth and don't try to vote in a construction site port-a-potty, they're just going to vote based on party identification anyway.
GROUP 5 -- SYSTEM BEATERS (6%): Think that not picking a party makes them less
likely to be called for jury duty.
I personally know at least a dozen people in this group. They are convinced that the reason I get called for jury duty is because I chose a party on my voter registration. These folks like referring to themselves as "street smart, not book smart" and have no problem wasting hours a day trying to beat the system. How to reach them: Pay them to vote.
GROUP 6 -- COLLECTORS (3%): Don't care who gets elected, just in it for the
"I voted" sticker.
These guys might be on to something. There are bars in some cities that give you a free drink for wearing an "I voted" sticker and I'm not the first guy who's noticed that women tend to talk to you when you're sporting one of those puppies. Bit of advice, though: the stickers only work on election day, so strike while the iron's hot. How to reach them: Convince them that the real loose women support your candidate. Works best when a Kennedy is on the ballot.
GROUP 7 -- TRULY INDEPENDENT (2%): Actually oppose the two party system and are working to change it.
God bless the free thinkers, poets and coffee house barristas. Were there more of them, I would have high hopes for the future of democracy for I, too, believe that the two-party system is a sham. Unfortunately, I'm more concerned with selfish needs such as making sure the schools stay open long enough for my four-year-old to get an education. How to reach them: Does it matter? These are smart, incredibly informed people so, by definition, they're statistically insignificant.
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To vote without this kind of consideration, in my view, is very irresponsible. You wind up with a person who votes for a tax cutter in the senate and a tax raiser in the house because one candidate was pro-gun.
I suppose everyone is entitled to vote the issues they think are most important. It is demonstrable that certain issues bear greater immediate and long term consequences than others, and I suppose that's where the frustration comes in when people fail to accept that fact.
That 40% independent is a bit harder to quantify, but most of the groups listed seem about right.
As Yakv Smirnoff would say.., 'What a country!'
Instead of sharing attitudes and ideas that might make a difference, the narrow-minded want to attack you like the Pubbies do.
Yeah, just sit there in front of your computer without giving any meaningful thought or suggestions on how to make a difference. Don't make an effort to change campaign finance reform, or write letters for the freedom of the internet. or support candidates who might really make a difference. Go along with the pack mentality is all I see on here. Hold your nose is your mantra.
Sure, I don't want the Pubs to take over again, either, but if a third party candidate witht the balls to stand up to the powers that be should come on the scene, such as Bernie Sanders, yes, he will get my vote. He was the only one who stood up and filibustered on the side of the Dems against the tax breaks for the ultra rich. How about that--- a man with the integrity to do the right thing.
Those of you who have attacked me for my comments and classified me as #1 or #2 , you rate a zero----meaning your wrong. If you took the time to evaluate my comments and leanings, you would realize I'm on your side, but looking for better leadership that supports our wish list.
Or I can vote for the other party and choose someone who has NO chance against my chosen candidate....
Nothing like getting sick on peanuts from a dirty processing plant (factory) or riding on a road full of potholes to make a person think......
..................about the value of government!
How about Julian Assange for foreign relations! hahaha--love that guy.
There are still a few good Dems left that aren't bought and paid for, like Dennis Kuchinch, who said a week ago he won't run against Obama, but I'd vote for him in a second!
Lets get real here, peeps, we have to shake up the present system if there is ever going to be change, because as it stands now, we are going down the tube at a very advanced speed.
Why do we have to side with one party or another. Why can't we open our minds to the alternatives of getting rid of the party system altogether, voting on who follows the constitution, and hold them to their promises. If they fail to adhere to our United States principles, remove them. The constitution allows this if the President isn't acting in the interest of it's citizens.
We are in illegal wars, banking and Wall St run the Gov. and the list goes on.
Is this the America we want or do we want to regain our reputation of a fair nation with principles and dedication to it's citizens and their well-being instead of indebtedness to China for our failures as a nation. No more pork, no more invading other countries for their resources as we do now.
"Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" reveals the truth.
Well said my friend. F&F
I have never worked for a Repub in my life and never will with the attitude they have and what they represent.
I used to be a full fledged Dem from age 18 to 40, and then realized I had a mind and started paying attention to what was coming down the pike. I watched how money bought politics, how campaigners said one thing and did another just to get in office. I watched corruption take over in 2000 when Bush was bought into power. I read alot of books on who really runs the show, and why JFK was really killed.
If you think we are stupid, you are wrong. We want real change that honors our constitution, regulates banks, sets limits on gambling in Wall ST, ect. instead of handing our country over to them.
I'm not a teabagger. I want legal immigration, equal rights for all, universal healthcare, and a woman's right to choose.. I want transparency in Gov, abolishing the CIA dirty -doings, as well as the illegal wars we're in. I want fair trade that keeps our jobs in our country so our children have a future.
I will continue to lean Dem, but if a better alternative comes around, I'll work and vote for them.
What I am saying is that I won't vote for a dem unless I have faith in them, meaning I will not vote for Obama a second time. Meaning I don't have to hold my nose as so many said they did this last election. Meaning I don't have to follow the pack because I have a brain and won't be told who to vote for.
If we have better alternatives than what we have now, I'll vote for them. I don't have to affiliate with someone who doesn't represent the Gov we're entitled to.