Political independents are by far the largest voting bloc in the country, according to Gallup, which polls Americans regularly. They will be the battleground for races in 2024 — the large, persuadable middle grounders.
An average of 43% of U.S. adults say they are neither Republican or Democrat. An equal number of Americans — 27% of those polled — say they are either Republican or Democrat, which is a new low for Democrats in the Gallup poll. Democrats are losing ground every year with American voters.
But in the breakdown that asked them if they lean more toward Republican or Democrat candidates, the Republicans are getting more love from Independent voters.
“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,” Gallup reported.
While Iowa is kicking off the presidential election season on Jan. 15, Sen. Joe Manchin is on a “listening tour” of America. He told a group in New Hampshire on Friday that even after Iowa and New Hampshire, he won’t know until after Super Tuesday — March 5 — whether he would be able to launch a campaign as a third-party candidate. He is not running for reelection for Senate.
“If there’s going to be an option or a need for an option, you’ll find out by then,” Manchin said. “By March, you’re going to have pretty much a lay of the land, and what you’re going to have, and what you’re going to be offered.”
