Graph: A chunk of Republicans appears to be becoming independents

[RKP5637]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/12/a-chunk-of-republicans-appears-to-be-becoming-independents/?utm_term=.4fb3e87830cd&wpisrc=nl_politics-pm&wpmm=1

Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll, made an interesting observation over the weekend: The number of Americans who identify as Republican dropped in 2017, and the group that benefited appears to be independents.

There is an interesting connotation to this. President Trump’s low approval ratings (which have improved recently) are often discussed with an asterisk. He may be unpopular, but among Republicans he’s still viewed positively. But if there are fewer Republicans now than there were when he took office, that Trump maintained their support seems less impressive. If six of your 10 friends like your spouse, but then three of the four who don’t decide they don’t want to be your friend anymore, it’s not exactly a good sign if six of your remaining seven friends are still supportive.

https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484

[genxlib]

1. Important to Remember

Remember this when you see depressing poll results about how many Republicans support Trump and his policies.

Those high numbers are only among those still willing to call themselves Republicans.

[Raster]

2. Excellent point. Thank you.

[magicarpet]

4. Very good point.

(genxlib) - very good point.
Impressive graph - THX

[Hortensis]

3. If past is to judge by, most who do vote will vote Republican, actions the same,

hypocritically only words changed. But this, to put it mildly, is an unusual situation. In question is how many won't vote at all.

Those weak willies represented by the dropping blue Democratic line I do wonder about. If they haven't recognized the lies by now and been willing to face up to the fact that they were fooled big time by now, what are the chances? If our next candidate is a sparkly white man, perhaps that will reassure some who fled from too much skin- and genital-associated equality and change.

[awesomerwb1]

5. Interesting

but it doesn't matter what the affiliation is if most of them will still vote for the politics the current gop is putting forward.

I wonder how many of those independents are trumpsters who view cheeto as an "independent" and less of a republican as well.

[RKP5637]

6. Good point! And Trump knows how to talk a good line of BS to those folks. n/t

[louis-t]

7. Same thing happened under bush.

That's when I first noticed all of my formerly repug neighbors and associates started calling themselves 'independents'. Funny, they all still spewed the same bullshit rhetoric.

[maxsolomon]

8. A distinction without a difference

Wake me up when they don't vote for Republicans.

[shanny]

9. I doubt if they have changed their stripes.

Now they are just too embarrassed to show them in public.

[RKP5637]

10. Yep, They will vote R on command when the time comes! n/t

[BlueDog22]

11. Education

A lot of the people that identified as Republican, but have higher educations are leaving.

[RKP5637]

12. Excellent!!! I think some also thought or did think this was the old republican party. Now, they

are seeing what the "new" GOP is made of, and it's sickening.