It sounds great on paper. The idea of a true Washington D.C. 'Independent', who is not a Republican or a Democrat, that voters could rally behind. The reality?
"The idea of a viable, independent candidate or party, is a pipe-dream" said SMU political science professor Cal Jillson, "But it's one that keeps reoccurring, because there is this latent dissatisfaction with our two major political parties. That's just the way it is, but it doesn't mean there won't be an occasional breakthrough by independents."
A new poll shows that 58% of voters would consider a moderate Independent in 2024, if there was a rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, with more voters opposed to another 4 years with Biden.
"I think there is a lot of dissatisfaction with both the Democrat, and Republican parties, and that poll shows that" Jillson told KTRH, "But the 58% say they would consider an Independent moderate? But that doesn't mean that they would vote for them. Most would revert to their roots."
Which is why, even though since 2004, the number of voters affiliated with a political party has steadily dropped, while the number of Independents has been on the rise, at the end of the day, almost every voter picks a side.
"In this poll there's a lot of angst and reservations" Jillson noted, "I don't like the partisanship, I don't like either of these guys, but if these are the nominees, most people will revert to voting with their party."
And we will see what happens in Utah, where former Republican Evan McMullin is running as an Independent, with the hopes of knocking off GOP Senator Mike Lee.
That leads us to our poll question.