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LiberalFighter

(50,942 posts) Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:21 PM Apr 2019

Doesn't self identifying as an independent imply being a centrist?

If a voter, meaning they would vote for a Republican or Democrat if they were moderates.

If a candidate, wanting to receive votes from both Republicans and Democrats.

9 replies

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Doesn't self identifying as an independent imply being a centrist? (Original Post) LiberalFighter Apr 2019 OP

Most people I've ever met that claim independent SHRED Apr 2019 #1

Nope FBaggins Apr 2019 #2

Registration is public information. Lots of personal reasons a person may choose independent Deb Apr 2019 #3

True. JaneQPublic Apr 2019 #4

There are very few independents that swing both ways left Trenzalore Apr 2019 #5

I registered as Independent many years ago, but I always vote for Democrats. Arkansas Granny Apr 2019 #6

Nope. Usually it signals either an ashamed Republican or someone too pure to be soiled by politics. Hekate Apr 2019 #7

... shanny Apr 2019 #8

No. It often only means "I want to sound stylishly cynical about everybody else." struggle4progress Apr 2019 #9

SHRED

(28,136 posts)

1. Most people I've ever met that claim independent

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:24 PM

Apr 2019

Are in fact very rightwing.

FBaggins

(26,743 posts)

2. Nope

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:25 PM

Apr 2019

It means that you think neither party represents you well

Deb

(3,742 posts)

3. Registration is public information. Lots of personal reasons a person may choose independent

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:26 PM

Apr 2019

JaneQPublic

(7,113 posts)

4. True.

Reply to Deb (Reply #3)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:39 PM

Apr 2019

When I was a small-town reporter a million years ago, some of my colleagues registered as independent to avoid being accused of bias.

Trenzalore

(2,331 posts)

5. There are very few independents that swing both ways left

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:41 PM

Apr 2019

Most independents simply don't want to identify with a political party for all the baggage that it implies.

My father was "independent." I don't know of one democrat that he voted for his entire life. Maybe Kennedy.

Arkansas Granny

(31,517 posts)

6. I registered as Independent many years ago, but I always vote for Democrats.

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:49 PM

Apr 2019

I don't see that it makes much difference.

Hekate

(90,705 posts)

7. Nope. Usually it signals either an ashamed Republican or someone too pure to be soiled by politics.

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 06:52 PM

Apr 2019

Unless, as with a friend of mine, someone high up in Civil Service who has to work with appointed public figures and really does not wish to reveal her personal preferences.

shanny

(6,709 posts)

8. ...

Reply to Hekate (Reply #7)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 07:00 PM

Apr 2019

struggle4progress

(118,290 posts)

9. No. It often only means "I want to sound stylishly cynical about everybody else."

Reply to LiberalFighter (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 07:03 PM

Apr 2019

And in the Trump era, it may mean "I vote for Trump but don't want to admit it in public"

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