My column last week on independents who lean toward a party ignited a (tiny) controversy. Some of those who questioned my argument asked questions like “Are independents independent?” and “Are independents a myth?”
Conducting a nuanced conversation in 140 characters, or even in 600 words, can be difficult, but in my view the more appropriate question is “How independent are independents?” My answer is that most are not as independent as their initial claim suggests, though some clearly are.
I noted that those independents who, upon further questioning, express a closer identification with a party vote like partisans. CONT.
Mark Mellman (Mellman Group), The Hill