Gallup: In 2013, Independents reach record-high in party ID

[Tender Branson]

Democrats still maintain an edge though, without and with leaners:







Survey Methods

Results are based on aggregated telephone interviews from 13 separate Gallup polls conducted in 2013, with a random sample of 18,871 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

For results based on the total sample of national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/166763/record-high-americans-identify-independents.aspx

[Vosem]

A good chunk of those are TP-ers self-identifying as independents because they're made the House Republicans caved on the shutdown and whatnot, though.

[pbrower2a]

More people are disgusted with the callow partisanship in Congress. The American political system has become extremely polarized, and although the Republicans have gotten worse faster, Democrats could easily get as bad.

[TNF]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

[Beezer]

Independents usually delude themselves into believing they're independent but at the end of the days their voting habits don't change all that much.

[DC Al Fine]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

Doubtful. The electoral system isn't hospitable to 3rd parties. You're more likely to see the Dems shift left.

[IceSpear]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

A left-leaning third party that actually breaks the <1% most third parties get would guarantee GOP dominance.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

Doubtful, since few independents in America are that way because they are to the left or right of both parties.  Most are that way because they either do not see themselves as ideologically driven in their votes, or their mix of issue positions they care about does not line up with the mixes of the Republicrats.

[TNF]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

A left-leaning third party that actually breaks the <1% most third parties get would guarantee GOP dominance.

Better GOP dominance than dominance by the current Democratic Party, which on the one hand manages to silence opposition from progressives to it enacting a neoliberal agenda. The Obama administration is a far more reactionary one than even the Bush administration, with the deterioration of the social safety net proceeding at full speed under Obama, as well as the continued obliteration of human rights in the face of a now larger and more powerful (as well as legally sanctioned - Thanks Obama!) national security state. Obama has governed markedly to the right of Bush throughout his tenure. A Democratic Party in his image is a danger to literally every progressive, and should not be welcomed or supported with open arms, as it's primary goal is the implementation of neoliberal policy outcomes with a 'progressive' veneer.

[IceSpear]

Excellent news. One hopes that this portends well for the future organization of a left-leaning third party, since no organized left-leaning party exists in the United States at the federal level.

A left-leaning third party that actually breaks the <1% most third parties get would guarantee GOP dominance.

Better GOP dominance than dominance by the current Democratic Party, which on the one hand manages to silence opposition from progressives to it enacting a neoliberal agenda. The Obama administration is a far more reactionary one than even the Bush administration, with the deterioration of the social safety net proceeding at full speed under Obama, as well as the continued obliteration of human rights in the face of a now larger and more powerful (as well as legally sanctioned - Thanks Obama!) national security state. Obama has governed markedly to the right of Bush throughout his tenure. A Democratic Party in his image is a danger to literally every progressive, and should not be welcomed or supported with open arms, as it's primary goal is the implementation of neoliberal policy outcomes with a 'progressive' veneer.

Yes, you're right that the Democrats of today are the Republicans of last decade. But what does that make the Republicans of today? Here's some things they would do if they had total control, including but not limited to:

National right-to-work law
Nationwide abortion restrictions
Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
Abolishing the EPA
Mandatory creationism in schools
War with Iran
Repealing Obamacare
Ending Medicare
Ending Social Security
Gutting food stamps
Gutting student loans

And of course the biggie, appointing Scalia clones to the SCOTUS. Even at my most disillusioned, SCOTUS will keep me voting Dem. As bad as Democrats are, at least they're not doing any of that stuff.