Nearly 20,000 MA Dems leave Party

[finnbow]

From the article:

"The 19,800 who left the Mass Dems represent about 1.3 percent of the 1.49 million enrolled in the party. And though the MassGOP gained several thousand voters, it actually lost more in the same time frame, when 5,911 quit the party to be unenrolled."

So, it essentially means that most of a very small percentage of GOP/Dem voters who decided to bolt their respective parties chose to become Independents. I did the same thing myself 15 years ago (bailed from the GOP to become an Independent) and have never looked back. I find it liberating to not be attached at the hip to either party. Blind allegiance to party just encourages the bastards.

I think this spells far more trouble for the GOP than it does for the Dems. If a significant percentage of those who bailed from their party vote for Trump in the primary, it increases the likelihood of the GOP experiencing a nasty break-up.

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by finnbow

From the article:

"The 19,800 who left the Mass Dems represent about 1.3 percent of the 1.49 million enrolled in the party. And though the MassGOP gained several thousand voters, it actually lost more in the same time frame, when 5,911 quit the party to be unenrolled."

So, it essentially means that most of a very small percentage of GOP/Dem voters who decided to bolt their respective parties chose to become Independents. I did the same thing myself 15 years ago (bailed from the GOP to become an Independent) and have never looked back. I find it liberating to not be attached at the hip to either party. Blind allegiance to party just encourages the bastards.

I think this spells far more trouble for the GOP than it does for the Dems. If a significant percentage of those who bailed from their party vote for Trump in the primary, it increases the likelihood of the GOP experiencing a nasty break-up.

But aren't you left out as an independent?

I went from GOP to Democrat in 99, the day after Bush got the nomination just so I'd have a say in what the DEm's do.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by noonereal

But aren't you left out as an independent?

No you become a member of the 'swing voters,' coveted by both parties as the votes they need, but can't count on. 'Swing voters decide elections.' Sometimes.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

No you become a member of the 'swing voters,' coveted by both parties as the votes they need, but can't count on. 'Swing voters decide elections.' Sometimes.

A lot of this has to do with whether or not the state is an open or closed primary state.

For example, Florida is a closed primary state. You have to register as a Republican or a Democrat, or you are excluded from the primary process. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary, and only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary. If you register Independent, or anything else, you are disenfranchised.

If Florida were to change to an open primary state like New Hampshire is, I think you would see a lot of people exit both parties.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

No you become a member of the 'swing voters,' coveted by both parties as the votes they need, but can't count on. 'Swing voters decide elections.' Sometimes.

As a raging moderate and a pragmatist, that's the primary reason I'm an Independent. Generally, I'll support a center-left or center-right before I'll support anybody on either fringe.

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

A lot of this has to do with whether or not the state is an open or closed primary state.

For example, Florida is a closed primary state. You have to register as a Republican or a Democrat, or you are excluded from the primary process. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary, and only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary. If you register Independent, or anything else, you are disenfranchised.

If Florida were to change to an open primary state like New Hampshire is, I think you would see a lot of people exit both parties.

Maryland is so deep blue and its primary so late (April 26) that its primary doesn't make much difference. Accordingly, I've never bothered voting in a primary election as I have better things to do.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by finnbow

Maryland is so deep blue and its primary so late (April 26) that its primary doesn't make much difference. Accordingly, I've never bothered voting in a primary election as I have better things to do.

Do you think it matters whether Chris Van Hollen or Donna Edwards wins the nomination to replace Babs?

If, as some polls indicate, either Bernie or Hillary will beat Drumpf, do you think it matters which is the nominee?

[Ike Bana]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Do you think it matters whether Chris Van Hollen or Donna Edwards wins the nomination to replace Babs?

If, as some polls indicate, either Bernie or Hillary will beat Drumpf, do you think it matters which is the nominee?

You didn't ask me...but I have an opinion. My opinion is that I believe in pretty much everything Sanders says. And the only people I would want less in the job are any of the GOP guys. My choices? Hillary, then Biden, then Obama gets a 3rd term. Sanders talks a great game. But the economy is coming back nicely and I believe that Bernie could very well innhibit the momentum.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Boreas

Do you think it matters whether Chris Van Hollen or Donna Edwards wins the nomination to replace Babs?

If, as some polls indicate, either Bernie or Hillary will beat Drumpf, do you think it matters which is the nominee?

I like Van Hollen, having met with him several times at the late stages of my work career. Solid dude. Donna Edwards? Not so much.

As for Bernie vs Hillary, I'll defer to the rest of the nation as to who they chose to represent the Democratic party as it will have long since been decided by April 26.

Part of being an Independent is that I get precious few phone calls from the various campaigns. That's reason enough for me to stay Independent. Moreover, the more Independents that there are, the more that the candidates have to moderate their views and promote policies that actually have a chance of being enacted.

[MrPots]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

A lot of this has to do with whether or not the state is an open or closed primary state.

For example, Florida is a closed primary state. You have to register as a Republican or a Democrat, or you are excluded from the primary process. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary, and only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary. If you register Independent, or anything else, you are disenfranchised.

If Florida were to change to an open primary state like New Hampshire is, I think you would see a lot of people exit both parties.

This is what happens when "parties" run the country instead of the people/

[MrPots]

Originally Posted by Tom Joad

A lot of this has to do with whether or not the state is an open or closed primary state.

For example, Florida is a closed primary state. You have to register as a Republican or a Democrat, or you are excluded from the primary process. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican Primary, and only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic Primary. If you register Independent, or anything else, you are disenfranchised.

If Florida were to change to an open primary state like New Hampshire is, I think you would see a lot of people exit both parties.

This is what happens when "parties" run the country instead of the people.