The parties seem unwilling or unable to to do anything that does not exclusively benefit their base or their sponsors … and it’s having the side effect of rapid growth of independent or unaffiliated voters.
" …
Independent voters are more diverse in age, race, gender and income than Republican and Democratic voters. Most independents are socially liberal, fiscally responsible centrists, but some are also libertarians and far-left progressives. Sixty percent of independents say they are not aligned with a party because they agree with the Republicans on some things, such as the economy and national security, and with the Democrats on social issues.
…
Over the past several years, it has become fashionable in the beltway to deny the existence of Independents—despite the increases in registered Independent voters and surveys finding record-high numbers of Americans now calling themselves Independents. In a previous study, we found that Independents—even those who “lean” towards one of the two major parties—fail to display the reliable voting patterns of partisans. And a recent Pew survey, digging deep into partisanship and attitudes, found that over half of Independent leaners say their partisan “leanings” are driven by negative feelings towards the opposite party—not by affinity for their leaned party. As such, they are much less likely than partisans to be motivated by a shared worldview, values, or policy preferences. But Independents are voting with their feet—and challenging the very paradigm of polarization and tribalism that has come to dominate political analysis. And they will be the key to victory in 2016.
Yes, infrastructure week seemed to consist of trump doing a road show speech in which he drops a big binder of papers down to the floor with a THUD, for dramatic purposes. But, I think the press is getting better about not reacting to such diva moves from trump, it seems that it was barely covered.
Don’t worry, Trump is on the job! Just yesterday, he called the Cabinet together, so they could take turns praising him to his face. Maybe he’s not just a thin-skinned, insecure would-be tyrant after all!
Not sure what’s next, though. Refusing the crown? Declaring the one who praised him the least to be a dangerous enemy? Just kidding! Tax cuts for the rich.
DrDon1 almost 7 years ago
Attention Deficit at its finest!
Mr. Blawt almost 7 years ago
The republicans will do for infrastructure what they did for health care.
superposition almost 7 years ago
The parties seem unwilling or unable to to do anything that does not exclusively benefit their base or their sponsors … and it’s having the side effect of rapid growth of independent or unaffiliated voters.
" …
Independent voters are more diverse in age, race, gender and income than Republican and Democratic voters. Most independents are socially liberal, fiscally responsible centrists, but some are also libertarians and far-left progressives. Sixty percent of independents say they are not aligned with a party because they agree with the Republicans on some things, such as the economy and national security, and with the Democrats on social issues.…
Over the past several years, it has become fashionable in the beltway to deny the existence of Independents—despite the increases in registered Independent voters and surveys finding record-high numbers of Americans now calling themselves Independents. In a previous study, we found that Independents—even those who “lean” towards one of the two major parties—fail to display the reliable voting patterns of partisans. And a recent Pew survey, digging deep into partisanship and attitudes, found that over half of Independent leaners say their partisan “leanings” are driven by negative feelings towards the opposite party—not by affinity for their leaned party. As such, they are much less likely than partisans to be motivated by a shared worldview, values, or policy preferences. But Independents are voting with their feet—and challenging the very paradigm of polarization and tribalism that has come to dominate political analysis. And they will be the key to victory in 2016.
…"
http://www.thirdway.org/memo/unaffiliated-the-rise-of-independents-from-2008-to-2016
Masterskrain Premium Member almost 7 years ago
WHAT “Public Trust”? He’s NEVER had the trust of the majority of the public.
Radish the wordsmith almost 7 years ago
Infrastructure week was great! Everyone is talking about all the wonderful things Trumpee did!
montessoriteacher almost 7 years ago
Yes, infrastructure week seemed to consist of trump doing a road show speech in which he drops a big binder of papers down to the floor with a THUD, for dramatic purposes. But, I think the press is getting better about not reacting to such diva moves from trump, it seems that it was barely covered.
Nantucket Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Trump’s plan is to privatize infrastructure while eliminating all regulations; what could go wrong?
Kip W almost 7 years ago
Don’t worry, Trump is on the job! Just yesterday, he called the Cabinet together, so they could take turns praising him to his face. Maybe he’s not just a thin-skinned, insecure would-be tyrant after all!
Not sure what’s next, though. Refusing the crown? Declaring the one who praised him the least to be a dangerous enemy? Just kidding! Tax cuts for the rich.
Striped Cat almost 7 years ago
Loyalty pledges are required by the insecure.