As reported today at Politico.com (link below), the results of new Pew Research Center polling show that only 49% of Americans hold a favorable view of the democratic party -- falling below 50% for the first time during the Obama presidency (it was 62% right after he took office). Meantime, only 40% of Americans hold a favorable view of the republican party -- "a number which Pew noted 'has not changed all year.'"
So as Obama & The Dems' approval has plummeted in recent months, it doesn't appear that the repubs have made much in the way of any gains. To me, that's only indicative of one thing: There are a growing number of Americans out there who (like me) have become (or are becoming) disillusioned with both of these parties and who feel that they are represented by no one. I think we've seen a lot of these folks at the tea parties and townhall meetings this year -- non-liberal, non-conservative people (some true Independents, others loosely identifying themselves with one of the two parties) who (also like me) have become politically energized this year after a lifetime of mostly or only paying scant attention to politics.
In sum, it seems to me to be a very strange and unique political time and climate in this country, quite unlike any other period that I can recall during my lifetime. We may well be seeing the development of a "perfect storm" from which true Independents, as well as so-called "moderate" dems and repubs, can successfully run for political office as Independents or other third-party candidates without being tied to the conservative-controlled repubs and the liberal-controlled dems. I sure hope so. Do you know how sick and tired I am of never having anyone to vote for (sorry Jeeves for ending a sentence on a preposition)?
So as Obama & The Dems' approval has plummeted in recent months, it doesn't appear that the repubs have made much in the way of any gains. To me, that's only indicative of one thing: There are a growing number of Americans out there who (like me) have become (or are becoming) disillusioned with both of these parties and who feel that they are represented by no one. I think we've seen a lot of these folks at the tea parties and townhall meetings this year -- non-liberal, non-conservative people (some true Independents, others loosely identifying themselves with one of the two parties) who (also like me) have become politically energized this year after a lifetime of mostly or only paying scant attention to politics.
In sum, it seems to me to be a very strange and unique political time and climate in this country, quite unlike any other period that I can recall during my lifetime. We may well be seeing the development of a "perfect storm" from which true Independents, as well as so-called "moderate" dems and repubs, can successfully run for political office as Independents or other third-party candidates without being tied to the conservative-controlled repubs and the liberal-controlled dems. I sure hope so. Do you know how sick and tired I am of never having anyone to vote for (sorry Jeeves for ending a sentence on a preposition)?
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