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Independents Give Republicans Big Edge: Pew Survey
NPR ^ | September 23, 2010 | Frank James

Posted on 09/23/2010 6:56:20 PM PDT by neverdem

Obama LOL protest sign

Stephen Brashear/AP Photo

Anti-Obama sentiment has helped shift independent voters towards Republicans and away from the Democrats who control Congress. 

The fight between Democrats and Republicans to control Congress and the White House at this point in the 21st Century comes down to winning over enough independent voters.

And Thursday there was sobering news for Democrats on that front. Republicans appear to be winning that contest at the moment, according to a new survey of independent voters by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.

Andrew Kohut, president of the Pew Research Center discussed the poll's findings with All Things Considered co-host Robert Siegel. Again, there wasn't much positive data to cheer up Democrats. 

The "let's throw the bums out" pattern which independents have settled into in recent election cycles looks likely to be reinforced in the upcoming mid-term elections, unless Democrats can significantly increase the energy level of their voters and their turnout.

Pew surveyed 2,800 registered voters, 37 percent of whom were independents.

KOHUT: The number of independents in the countries is at one of the high points in the last 20 years. Only 34 percent were independent in 2008. it's a growing category of people who aren't comfortable with either party.

ROBERT: But it seems like they're especially uncomfortable with the Democrats this year.

KOHUT: They are uncomfortable with the Democrats because they represent the party in power. And they say they are going to vote for Republican candidates by a 13 point margin, 49 (percent) to 36 (percent.)

But in the two previous elections they voted Democratic, voting against the party of power, 52 (percent) to 44 (percent) in 2008 and (in 2006) voting for the Democrats rather than the Republicans who controlled the House, 57 (percent) to 39 (percent).

... They've been untethered lately. The most we can say about them consistently is they haven't been pleased and they are certainly not pleased in 2010.

Much of what's dragging down congressional Democrats is unhappiness with the man in the White House, President Barack Obama, according to Kohut. Since he's not up for re-election, independents indicate they intend to take out their frustrations on Democrats, which underscores why many Democratic candidates would prefer not to campaign with him.

KOHUT: Among independents, only 40 percent approve of President Barack Obama. And what we see is a significant number of independents — 29 percent — saying they will be casting a vote against President Obama when they vote for congressional representatives in November.

That's almost as many who said that about George Bush four years ago when he was so unpopular and that unpopularity led to Republicans losing control of the House.

Unlike Bush, who faced opposition because of the Iraq War and the controversial methods his administration used to combat terrorism — Guantanamo, secret renditions etc., Obama's problems stem mainly from the economy.

ROBERT: Do the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan play any significant role in forming people's opinions?

Foreign policy and social issues are pretty low on the public's agenda. This is about the economy and national conditions.

You know we have in this poll 50 percent of the independts we poll saying that someone in their household was either unemployed or looking for job in the last 12 months. That's a pretty powerful number.

While the Tea Party movement is by various measures growing in power, it doesn't necessarily hold sway over many independents, according to Kohut.

KOHUT: They're divided on the Tea Party. Almost as many say they agree with them —  32 percent — as say they disagree with them except among the independents who are disposed to the Republicans... For many independents, the Tea Party just doesn't measure up.

Pew picked up a tendency towards increasing conservatism and a desire for smaller government within the population of independents as well.

For many of these voters, it seems the health-care overhaul legislation may have pushed them over the edge, he said.

In four years, the percentage of independents who call themselves conservative grew to 36 percent from 29 percent. Kohut indicated that was a significant increase.

KOHUT: Independents lean against health care by a small margin. But health-care reform for many of the independents who are conservative, raised the profile of large government... So it is a very significant player both with regard to views about health-care reform specifically and how it changed in one year, Barack Obama's first year, the disposition to see an activist government take on the nation's problems.

The only hope for Democrats, considering the headwind they're facing from the shift of independents away from them is to raise the number of Democratic-leaning independents and Democrats who turn out to vote in November.

ROBERT: Republicans looking at these numbers would obviously be encouraged about November. Is there any faint encouragement somewhere in their for Democrats.

KOHUT: The hope for Democrats is that they can energize independents who are disposed to the Democratic Party and Democrats themselves because both lag in terms of their inclination to vote. If they do that they can draw closer to Republicans and reduce the number of seats that they seem likely to lose.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Front Page News; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: congress; independents; obama; republicans
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1 posted on 09/23/2010 6:56:27 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Here is the Pew Poll!!!!

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1739/independent-voters-typology-2010-midterms-favor-republicans-conservative


2 posted on 09/23/2010 7:02:40 PM PDT by tallyhoe
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To: tallyhoe

Let’s vote and pray the dems go down in flames, we need America financially sound and free.


3 posted on 09/23/2010 7:11:01 PM PDT by aces
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To: neverdem
Politically, this is good news for the Republican party.

But philosophically, I'm uncomfortable about trusting the state of the Union to voters whose "core principles" tilt in a different direction every voting cycle.

I'll just say it: I despise the lukewarm.

4 posted on 09/23/2010 7:15:12 PM PDT by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: Flycatcher

Not all Independents are lukewarm.


5 posted on 09/23/2010 7:17:31 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. -GW)
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To: AdmSmith; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; bigheadfred; blueyon; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; ...

Whew!

Thanks neverdem.


6 posted on 09/23/2010 7:20:36 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Democratic Underground... matters are worse, as their latest fund drive has come up short...)
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To: EternalVigilance
Not all Independents are lukewarm.

You're right.

Bernie Sanders (Independent) is a socialist.

7 posted on 09/23/2010 7:22:12 PM PDT by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: neverdem

I’m noticing that the Radical liberals are becoming even MORE shrill and hateful as Armageddon Day approaches, and I didn’t think that was possible.

I’m seriously thinking there will be VIOLENCE by these people on poll day.


8 posted on 09/23/2010 7:22:18 PM PDT by tcrlaf (Obama White House=Tammany Hall on the National Mall)
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To: Flycatcher

Who are these moderates who the media crowns as defenders of sanity and liberty every election?


9 posted on 09/23/2010 7:22:33 PM PDT by chargers fan
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To: neverdem

That sure looks like John Kerry holding up that sign.


10 posted on 09/23/2010 7:23:43 PM PDT by ansel12 ([fear of Islam.] Once you are paralyzed by fear of Mohammedanism...you have lost the battle.)
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To: chargers fan
Who are these moderates who the media crowns as defenders of sanity and liberty every election?

Yes, that never fails to bring a sardonic grin to my face. But you'll notice these independents are only defenders of sanity and liberty if they tilt left. If they tilt right, they're angry, hate-spewing, kneejerk racists.

Kinda funny...

11 posted on 09/23/2010 7:27:28 PM PDT by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: tallyhoe
Here is the Pew Poll!!!!

Thanks for the link and the reminder. It was linked in the text of the story.

12 posted on 09/23/2010 7:40:21 PM PDT by neverdem (Xin loi minh oi)
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To: neverdem
They are uncomfortable with the Democrats because they represent the party in power.

Are they just the mushy middle going flaky because they didn't get the goodies they'd hoped for?

If our Republic is to survive we've got to complete the outreach, train them in Constitutional and Founding principles, and keep them on the reservation for election after election.

13 posted on 09/23/2010 7:41:11 PM PDT by 1010RD (First Do No Harm)
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To: tcrlaf
I’m noticing that the Radical liberals are becoming even MORE shrill and hateful as Armageddon Day approaches,

me too.....set back and fan the flames!...They finally see there is no free lunch...
I'm talking a bout the “poor folks”

I have more local food stampers applying for jobs to keep their standard of living the same then Ive ever had!

(

14 posted on 09/23/2010 7:43:11 PM PDT by M-cubed
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To: Flycatcher
I have many friends, in all fifty states, who are Independent Reaganite conservatives. Pro-life. Pro-liberty. Peace through Strength. Pro-natural family. Pro-Constitution. Pro-border security. Pro-national sovereignty. Pro-limited government.

In fact, taken together, they constitute the third-largest party in America based on voter registrations. And we just got started.

15 posted on 09/23/2010 7:43:29 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness. -GW)
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To: neverdem

March 25, 2010
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N61Y20100325
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama dared Republicans on Thursday to try to repeal his newly signed healthcare law but warned their effort would backfire as he touted the benefits of the massive overhaul.


16 posted on 09/23/2010 7:43:48 PM PDT by listenhillary (A 50% cut of federal spending would be a good place to start.)
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To: neverdem

What this tells me is that the independents are likely to back the GOP again in 2012 unless the Dems are successful in pinning the blame on Republicans. But if the GOP re-takes the White House and Congress by 2013, the independents are going to be just as unhappy and swing back to the Dems unless they see significant progress.

Fortunately, the Democrats are setting a very low bar for progress.


17 posted on 09/23/2010 7:44:42 PM PDT by OrangeHoof (Washington, we Texans want a divorce!)
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To: EternalVigilance
I applaud your efforts. I sincerely do.

Because of the RINOs and career Republicans, the GOP is indeed corrupt. But despite that, the GOP is STILL the home of social conservatives such as myself.

Is it possible that some day in the future, I could pull the lever for an Independent Party candidate? To get vulgar, damn straight! But only -- and I repeat, only -- if this Independent is more conservative than the GOP candidate.

I hope you succeed. I would be proud to be a registered Independent if this new party were consistently conservative on ALL issues.

All the best to you.

18 posted on 09/23/2010 7:57:33 PM PDT by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: neverdem

19 posted on 09/23/2010 8:01:04 PM PDT by South40 (Filled with hatred for those who disagree, democrats are the most intolerant bigots on earth)
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To: neverdem
"a 13 point margin, 49 (percent) to 36 (percent.)"

Enormous, considering the intensity factor.

Conservatives will turn out over 60%. Independents will turn out at about 45-60%.

Commies will turn out at about 35%.

The "Progressive Agenda" is D E A D.

Even the most optimistic pundits will be surprised.

20 posted on 09/23/2010 8:07:58 PM PDT by Mariner (USS Tarawa, VQ3, USS Benjamin Stoddert, NAVCAMS WestPac, 7th Fleet, Navcommsta Puget Sound)
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