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Independent and Proud

d'Kong76 Mar 05 2016 10:54 AM

I have to say (and I'm doing so knowing 90% of the people reading this don't give a rat's patootie what I think/feel) that I'm nearing my third decade anniversary of being a registered Independent voter with no party affiliation. It occurs to me that I have never felt more proud of this. Let's Go Mets!

Frayed Knot Mar 05 2016 11:34 AM Re: Independent and Proud

Have also always been an indie me-self.

Benjamin Grimm Mar 05 2016 12:29 PM Re: Independent and Proud

Me too.

Ceetar Mar 05 2016 12:40 PM Re: Independent and Proud

unregistered independent myself, NJ doesn't list any parties but the two main ones.

Mets Willets Point Mar 05 2016 08:37 PM Re: Independent and Proud

In Massachusetts, I'm called "Unenrolled." But I am a registered voter.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 05 2016 09:14 PM Re: Independent and Proud

Independent. But I've gotta change that soon, if only to vote impactfully in local elections (which are more or less tend to be decided in the primaries).

Edgy MD Mar 05 2016 10:09 PM Re: Independent and Proud

It's like none of us are registered. Maybe this is the big American secret — that most of us are unaffiliated, and for that independence, pay the price of being subject to the whims and vicissitudes of an affiliated minority. I'm feeling like starting an alternative party tomorrow.

Nymr83 Mar 05 2016 10:11 PM Re: Independent and Proud

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Independent. But I've gotta change that soon, if only to vote impactfully in local elections (which are more or less tend to be decided in the primaries). this is basically the reason to register, otherwise if you live in a closed-primary state you had literally no say in the makeup of the dumb vs. dumber match-up in the fall.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 06 2016 07:36 AM Re: Independent and Proud

I feel like its important to be registered for local stuff and to express which candidates within the party best represent your POV. Doesn't mean you're obligated to go any one way when the curtain closes. Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa?

Nymr83 Mar 06 2016 11:22 AM Re: Independent and Proud

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I feel like its important to be registered for local stuff and to express which candidates within the party best represent your POV. Doesn't mean you're obligated to go any one way when the curtain closes. Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa? I have conservative friends here in NY registered as D's because the elections they care about - basically city council and the house of reps - are decided in the democratic primary.

Frayed Knot Mar 06 2016 04:00 PM Re: Independent and Proud

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa? You don't even have to do that in many states with 'open enrollment' rules -- although this year's results may have the Repubs rethinking some of those rules in the wake of the hostile takeover-like results they find themselves under. Trump has not won something like 5 of the 7 contests (I think that was the stat I heard on one of the morning shows earlier today) in those states so far where voting was open to registered Repubs only while he's been cleaning up in the less-strict states. Now some of those votes could be 'indies' who don't normally vote at all in primaries (participation is WAY up on the elephant side and down somewhat in donkey-ville) but have been energized by Trump's "message". Others, however, could be mischievous-minded Dems.

Lefty Specialist Mar 06 2016 05:56 PM Re: Independent and Proud

A lot of Republicans in the northeast became 'independents' as the party started to go batshit crazy. I would also imagine that a lot of Democrats in red states call themselves 'independents' just to get by. And there are the 'they all suck' independents. Nearly half of eligible Americans don't vote so I'd imagine a lot fall into this category. I've talked with plenty of 'independents' who parrot back everything from Fox 'News'. I don't have to ask them about their real affiliation.

Frayed Knot Mar 06 2016 07:53 PM Re: Independent and Proud

Some states run completely closed primaries where only those pre-registered with the party are allowed to vote. Some are 'semi-open' where indies can vote in either/or but those registered with a party cannot cross lines. Others still are completely open and cross voting is perfectly legit. I have to think that those in the final group are essentially asking for mischievous makers and that, particularly on the Republican side, they're going to be re-thinking that strategy in time for the next cycle. Not sure if Trump would be losing if the rules were a bit tighter, but I think it's at least probable that he wouldn't be as far ahead.

batmagadanleadoff Mar 10 2016 12:04 PM Re: Independent and Proud

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa? The funny thing about this is that if were to do this, I'd have no idea which R to vote for. Who's the least electable R in a general election? Well, at this point, Trump has a commanding lead in the Primary, but assuming that NY was the first state to hold a GOP primary, who would I have voted for had I played the role of registered Republican infiltrator? I dunno. I doubt I would've anticipated Trump's strong showing.

Ceetar Mar 10 2016 12:16 PM Re: Independent and Proud

batmagadanleadoff wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa? The funny thing about this is that if were to do this, I'd have no idea which R to vote for. Who's the least electable R in a general election? Well, at this point, Trump has a commanding lead in the Primary, but assuming that NY was the first state to hold a GOP primary, who would I have voted for had I played the role of registered Republican infiltrator? I dunno. I doubt I would've anticipated Trump's strong showing. I mean, the primary isn't till like June in NJ, but I could theoretically do that since you just click a party at the primary in NJ. I wonder if they'll be any value still in trying to vote for Bernie. I'll probably just not vote though.

batmagadanleadoff Mar 10 2016 12:20 PM Re: Independent and Proud

Ceetar wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Any Ds out there registered as Rs so as to influence the enemy, or vice versa? The funny thing about this is that if were to do this, I'd have no idea which R to vote for. Who's the least electable R in a general election? Well, at this point, Trump has a commanding lead in the Primary, but assuming that NY was the first state to hold a GOP primary, who would I have voted for had I played the role of registered Republican infiltrator? I dunno. I doubt I would've anticipated Trump's strong showing. I mean, the primary isn't till like June in NJ, but I could theoretically do that since you just click a party at the primary in NJ. I wonder if they'll be any value still in trying to vote for Bernie. I'll probably just not vote though. Yeah but if you're infiltrating, you'd wanna, I suppose, vote for the least electable candidate that has a real chance at getting the party's nomination. But at this point, both primaries look like they're locked up, at least in the (non-super) delegate count.