Curious about "independents" reaction to Palin...

I'm of the firm belief that the mythical "independent" just doesn't exist. They're people like my father in law, co-worker, friends, etc. who love to proclaim themselves independent, however whenever a democrat does something even slightly wrong they use it to rant about how awful and corrupt democrats and liberals are. But when a republican does something wrong all it gets is a "well all politicians are bad. Both parties do stuff like that." The extreme fringes of liberals according to them are the mainstream of the democratic party despite having no power, control, or influence. Yet the extreme fringes of the republican party are "just a few scattered loonies" despite having complete and total control of the republican party. They maintain this ridiculous ruse and facade of "I'm going to see who I vote for" even though they never, ever, no matter what will vote for a dem and will ALWAY vote for the republican. Probably with even more consistency than a lot of people who call themselves republicans.

My point is I'm going to be curious to see how they spin the Palin thing since it's so blatantly a sop to the extreme right wing fundamentalist base of the republican party. Most of these "independents" tend to ignore the social issues and like republicans because of the perceived (not I said "perceived" strength on economics and national security). So how will they jive someone with next to no experience in either area being picked as McCain's #2?

My guess even though I haven't talked to any yet is that they'll start to talk about how little the vice president matters and how little power or control they have over everything. They may even buy into a few of the right wing talking points (proximity to Russia, Alaskan National Guard, etc.) although my experience is that they tend to shy away from BLATANT talking points even if they are actually buying into them in their heads and hearts.

Because I'm talking about the people who call themselves independent but are really anything but. They like to think that calling themselves independents puts them somehow above the fray of politics and political influence. But they are every bit the rabid partisans as anyone else and still always end up voting along party lines. I'd say that ultimately maybe 1% if that of the so called independents actually are independent and will do their research and inform themselves and vote accordingly.

This is why I think it's a fools game we've been playing trying to reach these people because they are just as unreachable as any of the rabid partisans. It's why republicans win because they appease their base, while we most of the time are on the losing end because we try and chase the independents.

To understand them, you'd have to be one of them. Look how many DU threads and posts take the form of "What is wrong with these people?" We keep asking because there seems to be no satisfying answer, and it nags at us.

Ultimately, I think the reason the wingnuts are so wrong on everything is that their assessment of reality is fundamentally backward and inside-out. They exist in a psychotic, self-referential bubble with no communication with the outside (i.e. real) world.

If I believed all of the crazy, surreal things the righties believe, I would probably have all the same opinions they do. But I don't.

dering about Palin's effect on the a-political, of which I'd bet there are at least a few million. My guess is that, even with as little as a-political types usually know about what is going on, they heard about the HC thing and they, both Men and Women, will be insulted by Palin.

In light of this (I think you are correct in saying) Palin's Job #1, in a time of lots of crossover and free-lancing, is to Unify and Solidify the Repukes' (as differentiated from honest Republicans') most reliable voting base. Of course their party will lie cheat and steal a "win" if they can, but more important to them is their survival as a party.

and I disagree with ALL of what you said. I believe the VP is just as important as the P, and especially in this election. I can't STAND her, and want her out. By the way, I've never voted for a republican.

so..., I'm not so sure all independents are Republican.

Edited to add: he has never sent a dime to any political party in his entire 45 years.

Some folks on the far left who aren't members of the Green Party are independents.

they absolutely positively are a thing of reality


Obama's speech did it for me. I am voting for him and there is not a fraction of a chance I will change my vote.

This latest episode void of reasoning and without purpose by McCain confirms that my decision is the correct one.




Honestly however, I did not expect McCain to completely fall to pieces so easily. Better to see this now than allow him to become president of the United States.



Sarah Palin? She is being used.

contributed to Obama about 8 times so far (lots of different sized contributions during the primaries). I donated again right after Obama's acceptance speech. I also donated to and volunteered for the Kerry campaign. I think the Palin choice is crazy and reckless (and I am a 40s woman with a young child). I posted something to this effect yesterday and got what I thought was a bizarro response. I wonder if people actually read posts sometimes. I think the Obama/Biden ticket is absolutely wonderful and can't believe that anyone would even vote for McCain.

Thank goodness Obama and Biden are more welcoming to Independents. I am sure they won't reject my support and my vote. Why drive people away by inaccurate generalizations?

I have recently heard of Independent Conservative=GOP.

I agree with the Green Party on some issues, Republican party on others and Dems (most of all, I'm a strong believer in Social welfare programs) on others.

And on others, I agree with none, but compromise.

I don't believe that I have to be finagled into a single corner to make a move.

I generally think of myself as a progressive who holds the title of Independent. The Marxist in me beats out any of my conservative views. So I'm very far left at times. There are, as I noticed with that liar and prick Amy Holmes, Independent Conservatives which are just GOP members because they spout stupidity.

I support Obama and have been been supporting Dem since the commencement of this election and have been anti Republican ideology since Bush took office.

I started aggressively supporting him though in March since I was lost between him and HRC, I was coming off the Edwards band wagon.

A lot of my independent mates are voting Obama as well. We can not stomach nor tolerate McCain and believe he will finish off America and kill off the American people will needless, ceaseless war.