I am not a part of any "base", I am an Independent that is extremely "Liberal"

[Toots]

I owe my allegiance to no Political Party. Keep in mind there is a growing trend in this direction. In fact in my state there are more Independents than Republicans and Democrats combined. Keep in mind just because I post on a Liberal/Progressive board does not mean I will follow in lock-step with a Conservative President or Congress. Just one more thing to add to the "who is the base" thing that is happening..I am opposed to War and I am opposed to "Trickle Down". It seems to me that Obama has embraced both concepts..

[ixion]

1. Yep, I'm an independent, too

and I agree with you.

[polichick]

2. The only thing that keeps me registered Dem at this point is voting in our primary...

Wish every state held an open primary.

On edit: imo the independent movement is a good trend.

[tekisui]

3. ditto.

[WillyT]

16. Me Too !!!

:hi:

[postulater]

4. Me too.

The best thing that could happen would be instant run-off voting.

Then a candidate with non-centrist views could stand a chance.

As it is, both parties drain toward the middle.

[cascadiance]

6. I have long said that Nader should have made IRV his *single* issue!

If he'd campaigned on IRV amongst his other viewpoints, and used passage of substantive legislation (Dems can actually try to do it with their majority, and not just "commit" to it), then he could use that as a bargaining chip to not run a third party campaign and support the Dems.

If he were to have gotten the Dems to pass IRV through his candidacy, and not just tried to run without it all of the way through, then many would view him as a hero (especially now) rather than as a "spoiler".

[salguine]

15. By using the mere word "Nader", you just made heads explode all over DU, you know that, right?

[cascadiance]

20. People don't like Nader because of him "spoiling" elections...

Yeah, I don't like that we lost 2000 either. But he has been VERY right on so many of his issue stances, and if he hadn't run for office to the end on so many occasions, he'd have been a hero here I think.

Whether it was ego, or whether his ability to help participate in the political process was being shut out (aside from him running for office) after he earlier had served in government in the EPA, etc. that kept him running, its hard to say.

I was just commenting that had he stopped and "cut a deal" to get IRV passed instead of still running to the end on many of these campaigns, he'd have a lot more favor amongst all of us that he would have been involved more for the rest of us by doing so, rather than us debating if he was doing it for his own ego. I can see many folks' argument that his ego is what kept him going, and is his political liability.

[rebelyell69]

22. Instant Runoff Voting Helps

Here's a short video explanation of how IRV can work with a Green Party (or any third party) in an election. It's he best description I've seen yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOwDyGCaOFM

[Shagbark Hickory]

5. The reason you are indy is because of the two party system. So many of us don't have representation.

And we don't fit into democrat or republican.

Most countries on earth have multi-party systems. But it's just too damn hard for the corporations to influence more than two parties thus people are forced to call themselves independents.
Most of the time when someone says they are independent it's because they are anarchist, libertarian, or whatever Lou Dobbs is.
If you're of liberal thinking there's a good chance you would fit into what most civilized countries call a socialist party but that's a dirty word in the USA.

[enlightenment]

9. True. Though I prefer 'unaffiliated' to 'independent'

these days.

I registered as an "independent" when I was 18 and was so for many years, but then the "Independent Party" came around and the states I live(d) in changed the wording to "unaffiliated".

I like that better - particularly because the media has rather successfully linked 'independents' to movements (anarchist/libertarians/etc) that I find rather revolting. If I lived in Britain, I'd probably vote LibDem, but Tony Benn is one of my heroes, so yes, I definitely lean socialist.

[Toots]

10. In my state the term is "non-partisan"

I agree with your thinking on this. I do NOT belong to the Independent Party..

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

21. Bingo!

any more than two parties and the influence gets watered down.

[KittyWampus]

7. you are also fairly insignificant then. If you're not registered as a Democrat you can't vote in

Primaries and if you are that "far" Left and demand politicians deliver on whatever issues you deem paramount, you will never get representation.

Keep in mind I consider myself a Social Democrat.

I just realize Politics is by its very nature contentious and demands compromise.

[Toots]

8. In my state Primaries are Open.

Sorry they are not in yours.

[varelse]

11. The Democratic primaries are open in my state

Both non-afiliated voters and registered Democrats can vote in Democratic primaries in California. I dropped my Green party membership in order to qualify to vote in the 2008 Presidential primary (I voted for Edwards, because Kucinich had dropped out).

Republican primaries are closed in California.

Fringe groups on both sides of the political spectrum can and do get disproportionate representation - look at the growing influence of fundamentalist Christian groups as an example. Even now, with "their" party in the minority, several key points of that agenda are still moving forward.

[NNN0LHI]

12. Is there an Independent Underground?

:shrug:

[MissDeeds]

17. self delete

[LWolf]

13. A very good point.

I was exactly that for most of my adult life, until the selection in 2000. That outraged me enough to register with the opposing party. My state does not have open primaries.

I have to say that the last 8 years as a Democrat has not endeared the party to me. I have less respect for the party now than I did as an independent.

And while I'm a registered Democrat, I'm still an independent-minded voter.

[quiet.american]

14. Noted. nt

[Echo In Light]

18. K&R - I've been an indie quite awhile, too. Allegiance to none

:thumbsup:

[WillyT]

19. HERE Is A Useful Site On Primary Rules In Different States !!!

Link: http://archive.fairvote.org/?page=1801

:hi:

[HughMoran]

23. I've been "unregistered" my entire voting life

I do it because I don't like to telegraph anything I do. I've voted straight Democratic ticket since the real trickle-down voodoo economics fired the air traffic controllers.