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The problem is that Independents aren't actually independent. They strongly identify as neither Democrat or Republican, but they consistently support one or the
by iudqnolq 4y ago
The problem is that Independents aren't actually independent. They strongly identify as neither Democrat or Republican, but they consistently support one or the other.
80% of Independents identify as leaning Democrat or Republican. Independents who identify as Democrat-leaning are just as likely as regular Democrats to hate the Republican party, and visa-versa.
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/03/14/political-independents-who-they-are-what-they-think/ https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2019/03/14/political-in...
- apercu 4y ago100% agree that independents are not "independent" but in the US system there are only two viable parties (by design, apparently) so you have to vote for one of the parties or you lose any agency whatsoever (the US doesn't have coalition governments like the UK or Canada).
- iudqnolq 4y agoAgreed, but I'd expect a real independent to be less partisan than a party supporter. They would do things like split the ticket, for example.
- apercu 4y agoFair, but it's not always easy in "winner take all" politics like in the US. Also, I am not sure that American voters (at least) are actually very educated in issues, or candidates.