37% Democrats, 29% Republicans.

[Eric J in MN]

According to the latest New York Times poll, 37% of people consider themselves Democrats, and 29% Republicans.

It would be nice if we could turn that into control of at least one branch of government.

[Hokie]

1. Many are Dems in name only

Especially in the South. They are too lazy to change their party registration. I know what you mean though. It speaks volumes of the Democratic party leadership that that cannot parlay the majority into power somewhere.

I think when Kerry/Edwards win and we take the Senate there will be big changes.

[Eric J in MN]

3. The poll asked what do you consider yorself not official registration nt

nt

[wyldwolf]

10. really?

I'd say they're all over - like the "democrats" supporting Nader.

[PVnRT]

18. Bullshit

You're deciding that because they are socially conservative, and that's not only wrong, it's insulting. These people are just as distrustful of corporations, want the rich to be taxed more, want middle class tax cuts, want to make college cheaper, and are often a hell of a lot more committed to unions than elsewhere in the country.

But OH MY GOD they don't 100% agree with every liberal social position, so they might as well become Republicans! :eyes:

Yeah, someone else said it better, how about all those Democrats supporting Nader? I have a feeling most of them don't live in the South...

[Zynx]

2. That sounds about right.

[izzie]

4. Why are so many Republican's really Dem?

I see so many people say they are Republicans and really vote against what they say they believe in and do. Blue collar Republicans. I do not under stand that thinking. Please do not ask them if they are better off after 10 years of GOP rule because most are not. Yet they vote for Bush.

[Eric J in MN]

5. the "pro-life" issue (nt)

nt

[Zynx]

16. If it wasn't for that, Democrats would be a 55-60% majority party.

[PVnRT]

19. Guns

If the Democrats would just get some of their members to tone it down on gun control, we would reel a shitload of people back in.

[Monte Carlo]

6. The GOP works as a team, the Democrats think about it for a while.

They decide if they feel like it first. Civil disobedience is fine, but teamwork makes the dream work.

[OnionPatch]

7. Too bad the left has to be thoughtful

about its platform.

[Eric J in MN]

8. This year, a lot of liberals are doing what they can for Kerry.

Michael Moore made the movie F911, Al Franken and others are on "Air America Radio."

I gave the maximum of $2,000 at
www.johnkerry.com

though I'm not rich.

I'm also doing a blog critical of Bush at
http://moveleft.com

which I hope will sway a few liberals to vote for Kerry who might have voted Green.

[elperromagico]

9. And that leaves 34% independent/undecided/mushy middle.

Unfortunately, 37% rarely wins an election.

[GreenInNC]

11. or..

Green, Libertarian, Socialist or any number of political parties.

[elperromagico]

12. Quite right. n/t

[no name no slogan]

14. Actually that's just "self-identification"

...but if you look at polls regarding people's beliefs and attitudes, you'll find that at least 50% could be considered liberal or Democratic-leaning.

The self-identification with the Democrats used to be much higher, even as recently as ten years ago. The problem? The Dems stopped standing FOR something, and only stood AGAINST the Repubs.

Once the Dems are perceived as standing FOR something, it's quite possible that their identification numbers will go up. Unfortunately, the Dems have been all too happy to let the Repubs dictate the terms of the debate-- and define them as well.

When the Democrats stand FOR something, they (and the country as a whole) do better. When they only stand "against" the Repubs, they don't fare as well.

[Wabbajack]

13. Does that mean the majority of indies

have been voting repuke in the last couple elections?

[Eric J in MN]

15. Al Gore won the popular vote in 2000, so no (nt)

nt

[Zynx]

17. A lot of Dems vote Republican, but Bush did win the Ind. vote last time.

[GreenInNC]

20. dems voting repub

7-8 million Dems voted for Bush last time around, over 100,000 in Florida alone.

[no name no slogan]

21. True. I heard 8 mil for sure, and 300,000 in FL alone (nt)

[dusty64]

22. That makes nonenrolled

the second largest group. Any breakdown of how they skew politically?