By James Williams, Editor-in-Chief

As another presidential election approaches, American political independents find themselves in a usual political predicament. They have to make a choice between two candidates that appeal to and seek the support of the radical fringe of their respective political parties or ideologies: the far-left and the far-right. Or shall we say the radical-progressives or the ultra-conservatives.

Neither option is truly satisfying to the “exhausted majority” in the middle. According to a report that Gallup released in January 2024, Americans are identifying as  Independents –
43% identified as Independents in 2023, 27% identify as Democrats and Republicans. Republicans maintain a slight edge in leaned party identification and more Americans identify as conservatives and moderates.

Since 1991, less Americans identify with either Democrats or Republicans. But this number has changed drastically since 2014.


According to Gallup: “Democratic identification has now declined by one point in each of the past three years. These declines, and the new low registered in 2023, are likely tied to President Joe Biden’s unpopularity. Biden’s job approval ratings have largely been around 40% since late 2021, and were consistently below that mark in October, November and December.”

Also note that most Independents lean a certain way, either right or left. Meaning, even though they are registered as an Independent, they tend to have more in common with one of the two parties.


According to Gallup: “Independent Leanings Give Republicans a Slight Edge in Party Preferences. All Gallup survey respondents who identify as independents are then asked whether they lean more toward the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. Last year, slightly more independents leaned Republican than leaned Democratic. As a result, a combined 45% of U.S. adults identify as Republicans or lean toward the GOP, while 43% are Democrats or Democratic leaners.”

This makes for an interesting election cycle considering both parties have been doubling down on their base. But is that smart? For example, I believe Trump’s VP choice JD Vance was basically doubling down for a base that wouldn’t break with Trump for anything. Trump should have picked someone that would have expanded his base or someone that could solidify moderate voters, since he owns the conservatives. Here’s why Trump’s pick was so bad: Biden has governed his whole presidency appealing to his liberal base; however, he was a moderates traditionally. VP Harris presents a different challenge, throughout her career she has proven to be a true liberal.

Only about 25% of Independents consider themselves liberal, 36% conservative, and 36% moderate. Look and you will see both candidates move to the center on issues to attract moderate voters. It may be difficult for the Democrats to move more aggressively to the considering 53% of Democrats consider themselves as liberal, 35% consider themselves moderate, and 11% conservative. And the Republicans don’t look much different with 73% identifying as conservative, and only 22% consider themselves as moderate. Just looking at political leanings within the parties, we can see why they can work together in Congress to pass legislations, our elected officials need to be highly partisan to survive either party’s primaries. In today’s climate it’s hard to survive as a moderate in either party, which is why our politics are so intense now and our government bodies are in gridlock. Both parties have made endangered species out of the moderates and positioned themselves (not in their best political interest) to not work with the other party.

Which is why our Independent friends are so important in presidential elections. They are the discerning voice that votes solely on principle and the issues. They are the ones that ignore the voices that say ‘this election is too important to vote for anyone other than the Democrat and Republican candidates’. They are the ones that provide balance to our system.

And because of this, every presidential election cycle during the general election, both parties begin to gradually move to the center at the conclusion of their party’s convention.