You have to realize that independents are about as far away from being political junkies as they can possibly be. Probably the last time they read or studied the Constitution was probably back when they were in High School. They're for the most part, not politically active. Generally, they don't have a political agenda like the two major parties do. They make up 40% of the electorate, but usually around 25 or 26% of those who actually get out to vote.They'll vote on feeling, likes and dislikes and their perception of how things are going.
But even at around 25% of all those who actually do vote, they, independents have the power to decide elections. Why they vote the way they do or the reasons behind their vote vary and is usually hard to pin down. I'd say mostly on perceptions and charisma. Independents don't own the horses in an election like both major parties do. They're probably more a casual fan. sometimes interested, sometimes not.
Independents can vote 58-42 for one party and its candidates one election, then switch and vote 58-42 for the other party's candidates in the next election. They can easily cause a wave election where they throw out the party in power or they can stick with the party in power. It all depends whether or not they're angry.
In 2006 independents threw out the Republican, then elected Obama and enhanced the Demorcratic presents in both the senate and the house. Then bang, they threw out the Democrats in the house in 2010, then turned around and elected Obama for a second time, then bang again, gave the senate to the GOP. They elected Trump in 2016, bam, in 2018 they threw out the Republicans, then switched and voted in Biden.
Most of those elections, it wasn't by small numbers either. They went big for one party or the other. This is just something folks or party partisans must get use to. Either make independents happy or lose the next election. Say what you will about them, but they do decide elections and independents are a growing faction of our electorate. They have grown from 30% in 2006 to 40% today as both major parties continue to shrink.
Last edited by perotista; 10/14/21 05:12 PM.
