Independent voters tilt toward Democrats

[Clarence]

Independent voters tilt toward Democrats - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON - Michael Brooks is exactly the kind of voter the Republican Party can ill afford to lose. But in a foreboding omen for 2008, it may have already done just that. ADVERTISEMENT The auto parts store worker from St. Charles, Mo., says he used to be a Republican but felt abandoned and is now an independent. "For some reason or other, they didn't seem to be for the masses anymore," said Brooks, 59, citing a lack of help for middle-income earners. He said he voted for George W. Bush in 2000, thinking the Republican was "more middle of the road, for the people. Obviously I was incorrect." Brooks is not alone. From coast to coast, independent voters tilt tellingly toward Democrats in their opposition to the Iraq war, their displeasure with Bush and their feeling that the country is moving in the wrong direction, according to data from recent Associated Press-Ipsos polls. That could be decisive in next year's contests for the White House and Congress, starting with the crucial early presidential primaries in New Hampshire. The portion of that state's registered voters not enrolled in a political party has grown to 44 percent. While people can vote in either major party's primary, more are expected to choose the Democratic contest. That potentially would boost antiestablishment candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., while leaving the GOP race more in the hands of the party's traditional conservative voters. National exit polls show that after leaning toward Republicans by 48 percent to 45 percent as recently as the 2002 elections, independents began shifting toward Democrats. "This is a serious problem" for Republicans, says GOP pollster Neil Newhouse. "We didn't get where we are among independents overnight. The data does suggest that it's going to take us some time to earn those votes back."

this article is dishonest. For one there's no backing up the title. For two only one example is given. Word on the street is showing something different. They never even mention whats his name.

[Milton Bradley]

I wish somebody would write a story about what "informed" voters do.

[bishop]

problem is, i don't know how you can measure what constitutes being "informed".. it's kind of like being tough - you may be tough, but chances are good that there's someone tougher than you.

personally, i believe the article is telling the truth. my issue is that it isn't telling the whole story. most of the people who vote, imo, get all of their information from television and major media publications. if these entities fail to cover alternatives to republican vs. democrat, these people aren't going to go out and research their options themselves. this is part of the reason why all candidates want to participate on televised debates, because americans can be counted on to tune in on their boob tubes.

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: bishop personally, i believe the article is telling the truth. my issue is that it isn't telling the whole story.

Well that's one of my biggest criticisms of the lamestream media. You can pretty much paint any picture you want with half truths, and quoting people out of context. Witness George "Wiretap" Bush, the Democrats, the Republicans. This is the environment they thrive in, and hence why they are on the top at this time.


It's only when you have to tell the whole truth that philosophies get compromised, and strategies exposed.

Quote by: bishop most of the people who vote, imo, get all of their information from television and major media publications. if these entities fail to cover alternatives to republican vs. democrat, these people aren't going to go out and research their options themselves. this is part of the reason why all candidates want to participate on televised debates, because americans can be counted on to tune in on their boob tubes.

As bad as it is, I still get the bulk of my information in that format. I'm a TV baby. However, I utilize Public Television, and C-SPAN for all they're worth, and can affor to spend a lot of time doing so. However I feel this opportunity is fading fast as Left moves left, and the Right continues to the right. It's hard to filter out all of the bias when the bulk of the broadcast is biased coverage, and biased opinion.


This is part of the reason I feel so justified in venting my unbiased opinion minus the supporting links sometimes. I know what the TV viewers are seeing, and how it is presented. Often, I know what they're not saying as well.


Yep, I'm the news medias biggest critic.