Sorry media villagers, ‘independents’ are not nonpartisan or centrists

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

Over the years i have posted about political science studies which demonstrate that "independent" voters are actually partisan "leaners."

Data from the American National Election Study analyzed by political science professor Alan I. Abramowitz of Emory University showed that in 2008, independents made up 40 percent of eligible voters, but only 33 percent of those who actually voted. Only 7 percent of the total voted as true independents with no party preference. The other indies were clearly "leaners" for one party or the other. 'Swing' voters remain partisan – Chicago Tribune.

Don't bother telling the media villagers this. They are committed to their "independent voters are nonpartisan" and "centrists" (or "moderates") meme, the facts be damned.

A case in point is this headline from the Arizona Republic on Tuesday about the new Pew Research Center study, Political independents outweigh partisans, poll says. Once again, independents are partisan "leaners."

John Sides at the Washington Monthly's Ten Miles Square tries, once again, to correct this media disinformation. Independents Are Mostly Partisans, Chapter Gazillion:

Here are a couple graphs for the next time you hear that the “independents are the largest group of American voters” and some species of “to appeal to this vast number of independents you have to take moderate positions.”  Graphs are courtesy of the new Pew Center report (p.28 and 98 of the pdf):

First, most independents lean toward a party:

You can see that only 12% of respondents did not identify with or lean toward a party in the most recent survey.

Second, independents who lean toward a party have not differed much from partisans on key political values:

I’m sorry to repeat myself, but it seems to be necessary.

The Pew Research Center study is actually titled "Partisan Polarization Surges in Bush, Obama Years." Media villagers should maybe, you know, actually read the report. Is that too much to ask? There is lots of good info in the report.