SURVEY: Independent Voters Turned Off Over Democrats’ Left Turn

The Democrats have drifted so far to the left in recent years, they are hardly recognizable.

This has turned off not only moderate Republicans and Democrats, but a key voting bloc: Independents.

This is so serious, that even the New York Times is reporting on it:

What Democrats Could Lose With Their Left Turn

Trending: GOP Rep: Former FBI Lawyer Admitted Obama DOJ Ordered Stand-Down On Hillary Email Prosecution

One defining feature of the Democratic primary so far has been the party’s leftward turn. In recent debates, candidates have supported policies like offering health insurance to undocumented immigrants, and commenters have warned about the potential electoral penalty of repelling persuadable voters.

Political science research suggests that moderates generally fare better in elections, but much of our current understanding is speculative: There has been little directly relevant data on how voters are reacting in the moment. Are swing voters being put off? Are Democratic voters excited and more likely to stick with their party?

In a recent survey experiment I conducted, the evidence pointed to both these possibilities, but with one pattern much more pronounced than the other.

The embrace of progressivism solidifies support among Democratic survey respondents when thinking about the 2020 general election. But it repels independents, with a negative effect that is stronger and clearer than the signs of enthusiasm generated among Democrats.

Democrats are in trouble with independents on other topics, too:

Just 36% of independents trust the media vs. 69% of Democrats. That says something. https://t.co/W9RWLPsAAx #

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 26, 2019

Most recent Monmouth Univ. poll on impeachment –
Yes/no:
Registered voters: 35/61
Republicans: 2/94
Independents: 30/64
Democrats: 69/25
Men: 26/70
Women: 44/49
Age 18-34: 44/50
Age 35-54: 31/63
Over 55: 32/64
Whites: 27/67
Non-white: 51/44
Swing counties: 32/60

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) September 24, 2019

Democrat’s are afraid of a national election because Trumps policies work & they know that their party has become too radical for mainstream America, especially the Independents who turn elections. So, they’re planning a political coup via impeachment. To hell with the people.

— Dorinda Sears (@DorindaSears) September 28, 2019

reading about Democrats’ leftward shift on policy makes independents 6 % points less likely to say they would vote for a Democrat for president in 2020, without making up for it by stimulating Democratic mobilization
https://t.co/CNwUr3AEpU

— Matt Grossmann (@MattGrossmann) September 30, 2019

Just remember the Democrats are doing this to themselves.

It is entirely self-inflicted.