For the umpteenth time, most independents are highly partisan.

[Garrett78]

They are not swing voters. Swing voters do exist, but they are relatively few in number and dispersed across 50 states. You don't run a campaign by focusing resources on turning them out for your side. One thing Republicans understand is the importance of focusing on turning out the base. Along with doing that for our side, Democrats do need to register young people (my hat's off to the Parkland kids doing just that throughout the summer) and combat voter suppression efforts. We are the majority. Turn out the base, turn out the base, turn out the base.

Anyway, I find myself constantly having to reply to posts that demonstrate a misunderstanding of who independents are. And I'm tired of doing so. Therefore, for the last time, I'm starting a thread on this topic. Here is one of the numerous articles I've posted previously:
https://www.thenation.com/article/what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-independent-voters/

While around four-in-10 voters say they’re independents, very few are actually swing voters. In fact, according to an analysis of voting patterns conducted by Michigan State University political scientist Corwin Smidt, those who identify as independents today are more stable in their support for one or the other party than were “strong partisans” back in the 1970s.

[murielm99]

1. I agree.

It is a matter of knowing your voters. I know the voters in my precinct, and in my entire community. I know the independents who are likely to vote for Democrats if I make the effort to GOTV.

I have to say that I know only one true independent in my precinct.

[Autumn]

2. Interesting enough more partisan Inderpendents lean Democratic than Republican.

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/07/05/5-facts-about-americas-political-independents/

However, most independents express a partisan leaning: In 2014, 17% of the public leaned toward the Democratic Party while 16% leaned toward the GOP; just 6% declined to lean toward a party. When the partisan leanings of independents were taken into account, 48% either identified as Democrats or leaned Democratic;

39% identified as Republicans or leaned Republican.

[Downtown Hound]

3. Most of the "independents" I know are Trumpers

They just don't like to admit they're right wingers and it just sounds so much cooler to them to be able to say "independent."

But scratch the surface a little bit, they're about as right wing as they come.

[Garrett78]

5. Yep. And many others vote for Dems every time.

They like calling themselves independent or live in places where people don't affiliate.

[Cosmocat]

7. Yep

Not necessarily people who are registered independent. I do know a fair amount of left-leaning people who are registered as independent. But most will come out and say they mean left.

Every single person I know who tries to say that there are non-partisan independent is a right winger who for whatever reason wants take their flag. The Hallmark of conservatism is rationalization, whatever bulshit they need to convince themselves anyways.

[Quixote1818]

16. The stats show they are pretty evenly split between Liberal and Conservative nt

[SharonAnn]

17. So are the ones I know. Strict conservatives and Libertarians.

[rownesheck]

4. I've never believed anyone can be independent.

When you ask anyone what they believe in regards to party platforms, they always lean heavily one way or the other. I've never heard anyone say, "i believe in a woman's right to choose, but i hate critical thinking!" I know that is a simplistic explanation, but seriously people, PICK A SIDE!

[Garrett78]

6. There does seem to be a small percentage of actual swing voters, and they mystify me.

All I can figure is they're about as ignorant as Fugelsang's caller.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. Republicon strategy for a few decades has been to polarize voters.

[milestogo]

9. People call themselves independent if they voted for a candidate of another party once.

Over the course of a lifetime that's bound to happen. But it doesn't make them independent. People associate independent with intelligent.

[Roland99]

10. Independent means GOP candidate isn't extreme enough

[dalton99a]

11. +1. That is usually the case

[Roland99]

13. Or they vote libertarian but don't admit

[pecosbob]

12. For the umpteenth time, vote Democratic

If you're weak-willed or addle-brained enough to be swayed by a few lies on the internet or some BS poll, then turn off your social media and cable propaganda until Voting Day...then vote Democratic. Tell your friends to vote. Tell your family to vote. Shun anyone that votes Republican or spouts Republican takling points, even family. If a business makes a point of espousing Republican viewpoints, take your business elsewhere and let them know why.

[dalton99a]

14. +1. Just vote for every Democrat on the ballot. And every Democrat counts.

We're fighting for our lives here

[Horse with no Name]

15. They like to pretend that they are up to date on issues and can make an "informed" decision

however, their decisions are usually made on single sources.
They are NOT swing voters. I totally agree.

[rock]

18. It's all about the base

No treble.