One recent poll showed more voters now identify themselves as Independent than at any time in the past 75 years. Given their shameless pandering to Hispanics and other demographics they see rapidly increase, don’t expect the Democrats to overlook the potential impact of voters not affiliated with any party.
Independents are characteristically less informed and involved when it comes to politics (otherwise, they’d vote solidly conservative), so the left is able to repeat catchphrases in an attempt to sway the uncommitted center.
“The Republicans are waging a war on women,” they shout, knowing the unfounded accusation is actually all it takes to convince some who are not paying attention. I recently heard a caller during a popular national talk show ask the host whether Darrell Issa’s ongoing crusade against Eric Holder would turn off more moderate independents. By the way, this caller identified himself as a conservative!
We should never compromise our position to placate the phantom sensibilities of the Independent. Liberals claim standing up for conservative principals will turn off the center, but never suggest hardcore leftist positions will have a similar effect.
They try to back spineless pseudo-conservatives into a corner, giving them little option aside from caving on a key issue in order to attain the approval of the Independents. This is a frequent argument from the left, even though independents generally gravitate to the right.
Conservatives shouldn’t be surprised; liberals always come up with reasons they feel we should moderate our views “for our own good.” In reality, they know conservative principals appeal to the vast majority of Americans and they want to prevent another Ronald Reagan from cashing in on that advantage. Reagan understood and was able to verbalize why the right is right and why traditional values are traditional for a reason. Conservatives value unbridled opportunity for everyone and, as a result, everyone benefits.
Setting up the stage for November’s election, the left says, rightly so, that Independent voters will be a big determinant in what will inevitably be a much closer race than it should be. As a result, the GOP should be courting these voters, but not in the way the other side suggests. We will gain no support by betraying our core beliefs because, at this point, genuine conservative politicians are the only ones left with any core beliefs to begin with.
It would be a disservice to conservatives, independents and America for the right to portray itself as anything short of the pro-capitalism, pro-Constitution and pro-life alternative to the left. Let the center make an informed choice between two clearly defined options.
The problem liberals have with that scenario is they have a pretty good idea which side Independents would pick.
Please share this post with your friends and comment below. If you haven’t already, take a moment to sign up for our free newsletter above and friend us on Twitter and Facebook to get real time updates.
Follow @WestJournalism
Loading ...
I’m definitely an Independent. I wish a pox on BOTH parties. I haven’t seen the increasingly more Liberal Left make a stand on anything of importance that I would support in over 30 years now.
But, so what? This past election I went entirely Republican in the belief that they were actually on “our” side. I knew better but these are desperate times! I’ve now seen that there is NO difference between the two and the GOP has crassly abandoned me and millions of other Indies to bow to the Obamunists. We were openly betrayed by the RINO Right led by the duplicitous John Boehner on everything from Eligibility to Immigration.
One thing about the Left, they run around in the open doing their nefarious national dirty-work. Lies by the carload yes, but at least you know who they are.
The cowardly back stabbing Right sneaks around in the dark looking for undefended backs to pounce on. It isn’t until after the fact most of the time that just what kind of crawling vermin they really are becomes clear.
Again, a POX ON BOTH parties. The TEA? Too little, too late and without real support from the Establishment Elite. Without a miracle, we’re royally screwed.
I vote conservative, but not necessarily Republican…That’s why I claim to be Independent. The GOP & RINO’s in the Republican Party are just as untrustworthy as Democrats & liberals can be.
Democrat is NOT the same as Liberal: Republican is NOT the same as Conservative. Don’t let THEM decide your vote for you, you should vote YOUR OWN conscience, not by party line. That’s why I’m Independent.
There are more independent voters now than Democrats, the largest political party, but they are prevented from being candidates for office by un-Constitutional state election laws which are habitually upheld by party appointed federal judges. The party which promises to help independent voters get ballot access will get their candidate elected in 2012. Independent voters are now engaging in talks with members of Congress trying to get ballot access so that they can start to become candidates for office. The party that promises independent voters they will help them gain access to the general election ballot will get its candidate elected in 2012. That will not be the Democrats because they have always regarded independent voters as slaves on the Democratic plantation. Just turning independent voters loose to run for office loses votes for them. Republicans have always been the party most hostile to independent voters, but appear to be the ones at the present time listening to independent voters with regard to ballot access.
The reason?
If Republicans don’t help independents gain ballot access for general elections, Democrats are poised to put in place top two primaries like they did in California which help them retain control of the independent vote. If Republicans help independents get past the un-Constitution nomination petition signature requirements that are keeping independent voters out of general elections, the independent vote will swing to Republicans, electing their candidate this election. So far in these talks with members of Congress, Democrats have been unresponsive toward independents, while Republicans have been somewhat receptive, which is probably an indication of how the independent vote will go this election.