Where Are Independents in 2012???

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INDEPENDENTVOTING.ORG NETWORKS

Did Independents Make a Mark in Iowa? (Jacqueline Salit, Executive Editor, The Neo-Independent magazine, Huffington Post) First, a closer look at the numbers. Independent voter participation in the GOP caucuses might have been up as compared with 2008, but the participation by independents as a whole was way down. In 2008, an estimated 66,000 independents came out to vote in both parties' Iowa caucuses, more than twice the number of independents who chose to vote on Tuesday. In 2008, 75% chose Democratic balloting, and 41% of those voted for Obama. In other words, the conspicuous feature of Tuesday's Iowa caucus was the number of independents who stayed home.
Why We Need To Care About The Iowa Caucus (Written by WFMY News 2 CBS-Greenville NC) In recent days, lots of attention has been directed towards the Iowa caucus. At nearly 1,000 miles away, North Carolinians may be wondering why this is important to them. WFMY News 2 spoke with Dr. Omar Ali, Independent Political Analyst and Historian at UNC Greensboro to bring you more information.
Independents, Third Party Candidates Mull Galbraith Legacy (by Phillip M. Bailey, WFPL News 89.3 Louisville) Kentucky independents and third party advocates are reflecting on the death of perennial candidate Gatewood Galbraith, who brought attention to candidates outside the two main political parties… Michael Lewis is chairman of Independent Kentucky, a non-partisan group that supports legislation to allow independents to vote in primary elections. He says Galbraith helped citizens who weren’t interested in either party get involved in the political process.
Mississippi Politics: Can Independents Help Reform? (Monica Betts, Politics365) One Independent Activist and Voter, Marla Nottingham of Brookhaven, MS, felt the election blues and decided she would petition for voters to have the right to vote in “open primaries” as Independents and vote for a politician of their choice whether Independent, Democrat or Republican. In 4 days Marla gathered 1,500 signatures in her home town.

Kentucky Independents' Michael Lewis Speaks About Gatewood Galbraith Passing

Former Kentucky governor candidate Gatewood Galbraith dies (WDRB-Louisville) Lawyer and frequent candidate for Kentucky governor Gatewood Galbraith has died.  The Fayette County Coroner's Office says family members found him at home on his bed, "unresponsive."  It said he had been ill for several days with congestion in his lungs and suffering from "cold-like symptoms which had been complicated by chronic asthma and emphysema."

If you live in Kentucky and want to participate in a bottom-up movement to include independents and ordinary Americans in our political process, contact Mike  at the grassroots affiliate of independentvoting.org at Independent Kentucky. Kentucky has a fast growing population of independent voters. With independents being 40% of the electorate nationally Independent Kentucky is working to make strides in educating independent voters and making sure the movement is heard.

IK Leadership Team
	Chairman: Michael P. W. Lewis Email: michael@independentkentucky.org			Co-Chairman: Alexander Kemble Email: admin@independentkentucky.com

Kentucky's Gatewood Galbraith Garners 9% as Independent in Gov Race Yesterday

KENTUCKY ELECTION RESULTS
Galbraith says he ran for the strength of his message; loses 5th governor’s race (By Cassidy Herrington, Kentucky Kernel) Gatewood Galbraith may not be hanging his wide-brim fedora at the governor’s mansion this year, but his pre- and post-election commentary may be resurrected in future political discussions. Galbraith garnered 9 percent of the vote. At his reception at the Crowne Plaza Tuesday evening, Galbraith said he was “ticked off” by the results.

Kentucky's Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbraith: "Willingness to transcend partisan gridlock"

KENTUCKY
Reader supports candidate Galbraith (The Times-Tribune) The next Governor will work in a climate marred by partisanship amidst a competitive global economy. Because of this, I support Gatewood Galbraith. His political courage to tackle the most vital issues others haven’t, his willingness to transcend partisan gridlock others created, and ability to question conventional practices others haven’t are logical and refreshing.

KY Lt. Gov. Debate Features Tax Reform, Independent Candidate

KENTUCKY GOV RACE
At debate, candidates for lieutenant governor disagree on tax reform (By Jack Brammer, KY Herald Leader) Independent candidate Riley, a Frankfort marketing consultant who is Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith's running mate, called Kentucky's tax system unfair and said economic development was the answer to creating jobs.

For information on independents in Kentucky, see here...

University of Louisville Candidate Forum Today September 11, 4-6pm

KENTUCKY

• UofL sponsoring gubernatorial candidate forum this weekend [Colleges] (by Eve Lee, Louisville.com) This Sunday, September 11, candidates for Kentucky governor will speak at a public forum organized by the Yearlings Club-University of Louisville discussion series… Independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith and Kentucky Senate President and Republican nominee David Williams have accepted invitations to participate. 
• Beshear Avoiding Debates With Williams (By Dan Roem, National Journal/Hotline) Last week, Beshear decided to pull the plug on a "Kentucky Tonight" appearance slated for Sept. 26 that is set to feature Williams and Galbraith.

Gatewood Galbraith, Kentucy's Independent Gov Candidate Talks About Medical Marijuana and Lots More

KENTUCKY
Gatewood Galbraith: Running Against A “Culture Of Corruption” (The 420 Times - the magazine of medical marijuana and natural healing) The two party system is just as entrenched here as it is everywhere else, and the establishment is extremely hostile to outside candidates, even one that has ran as many times as Gatewood has.

Indie KY Gov Speaks Out at Fancy Farm

KENTUCKY
Governor criticized for shying away from politics during speech (by By Mallory Panuska, The Paducah Sun ) Galbraith has consistently said that he is a perennial candidate because Kentucky has perennial problems. He is running on the platform that he will rid the state of the partisan politics that are creating all of commonwealth’s issues.

See more about independent Kentucky politics here.

KY Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbriath Booted from Fancy Farm Picnic

KENTUCKY

• Candidates for Governor battle it out at Fancy Farm (By Tamara Evans, WDRB) Governor Steve Beshear, the Democratic candidate for Governor ... didn't get into political topics, keeping his focus on the military. Republican Candidate David Williams ripped on Beshear's record, while Independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith called Beshear's speech about the military the worst that he had heard.
• Campaign Staffer Summarizes Galbraith’s Trip to Fancy Farm (Devin Katayama, WFPL) Meet William Bowe. As Kentucky politicians made their annual trip to the Fancy Farm Picnic this past weekend, Bowe was traveling with Independent gubernatorial candidate Gatewood Galbraith. NOTE: Bowe is the Communications Director for Independent Kentucky

Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbraith For Kentucky's Perennial Problems

KENTUCKY
Try 5 for Gatewood (GREG STOTELMYER, WTVQ) Galbraith has run three times in the Democratic primary, once as the Reform Party candidate and now as an independent candidate.   “A perennial candidate?  Kentucky's got perennial problems,” said Galbraith.

Gatewood Galbraith Files for Gov in Kentucky as Independent

KENTUCKY
Galbraith files to become independent candidate for governor (By Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald Leader) Saying Kentuckians are "so disgusted with the status quo" in Frankfort, Gatewood Galbraith turned in 7,396 signatures with the secretary of state's office Thursday morning to become an independent candidate in this year's race for governor.

Kentucky's Gatewood Galbraith to Announce Independent Candidacy for Gov

KENTUCKY

Galbraith to officially enter governor's race (Fox 19) Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith is expected to officially enter the governor's race as an independent candidate later this week.

Kentucky Independent Gov Candidate Gatewood Galbraith Wants to End Partisan Politics

KENTUCKY
Williams and Galbraith debate (Written by Scott Wartman, NKY.COM) Two of the three gubernatorial candidates debated in Covington Thursday afternoon, Republican State Senate President David Williams and independent candidate Gatewood Galbraith... Galbraith blamed partisan politics for Kentucky’s woes and said as an independent, he will work with both sides of the aisle.

E.J. Dionne: Attack on Right to Vote is Underway Across the Country

2012
How states are rigging the 2012 election (By E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post/Opinions) An attack on the right to vote is underway across the country through laws designed to make it more difficult to cast a ballot. If this were happening in an emerging democracy, we’d condemn it as election-rigging. But it’s happening here, so there’s barely a whimper… In part because of a surge of voters who had not cast ballots before, the United States elected its first African American president in 2008. Are we now going to witness a subtle return of Jim Crow voting laws?

KENTUCKY
Kentucky gubernatorial campaigns say religion isn't an issue (By Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald Leader/Kentucky.com) Their stances come as former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson apparently is the first person of the Jewish faith in Kentucky to run for the office of lieutenant governor. He is running with Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, who is seeking re-election… Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, who is trying to get enough signatures to run this fall as an independent candidate for governor, said he does not expect religious affiliation of any of the candidates to be an issue in the race.

EDUCATION REFORM
Why American students lag in test scores - Unlike the U.S., high-performing nations have clear, shared standards and pay their teachers well (By Marc Tucker and Jerry Weast, Baltimore Sun) The top-performing countries differentiate their educational spending to give the hardest-to-educate students more resources and support than other students. The U.S. is alone among industrialized countries in providing the most money for the students who have the most advantages.

Political Reform: No Party Affiliation

KENTUCKY
Galbraith claims no allegiance to party (By HAWKINS TEAGUE, Murray Ledger & Times) The Lexington attorney has run for governor in the Democratic primary three times – 1991, 1995 and 2007 – and once in 1999 on the Reform Party ticket, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal… “I’m an independent candidate for governor,” Galbraith said during a stop at the Murray Ledger & Times office Tuesday. “My running mate and I have no party affiliation whatsoever. We don’t want one. The problem with Kentucky and the reason we’re dysfunctional as a state government in Kentucky is because both parties have their horns locked up like two bull elk fighting over territory while the business of the people lays dead in the dust.

CALIFORNIA

• Election 2012: On the trail of the moderates (CAPITOL WEEKLY, By John Howard) And in addition to the new strategies, there is uncertainty over the real impact of two new, voter-approved electoral features – the top-two primary and the boundaries drawn by an independent redistricting commission.
• Calif. gets look at political maps drawn by citizens panel set up by voters to reduce gridlock (JUDY LIN  Associated Press, Daily Journal) "I think a big factor in the low registration and low voting rates in California among some communities is disenchantment with the political process. And a big source of that disenchantment is the fact that people feel that politicians have chosen their voters instead of the other way around," said Maria Blanco, a commissioner from Los Angeles. "The measure of success will be whether we see more people ... willing to participate in the political process."

NEVADA
Nevada Bill Passes, Eliminates the Easy Method for a New Party to Qualify for the Ballot (Ballot Access News) AB 81 also tells parties that nominate by primary that they cannot invite independents to vote in their primary. Only the Democratic and Republican Parties nominate by primary in Nevada. They have not been letting independents vote in their primaries recently anyway, but previously, the law was silent on whether independents can vote in primaries. AB 81 bars a party from inviting independents to vote in its primary.

Open Primaries for Pennsylvania, Independent Governor for Kentucky, Non-Partisan Redistricting Process for California

OPEN REDISTRICTING PROCESS
Former Calif. assemblyman, senator call for elimination of partisan political data in redistricting process (San Diego News Room) The language of the Initiative specifically excludes any criteria related to political party registration. There is therefore no reason for the Commission, its staff, or its consultants to access or otherwise make use of any data associated with partisan registration.

2012

• Johnson not invited to CNN GOP debate - Rep. Michele Bachmann, who hasn't declared she'll run, will debate (By Matthew Reichbach, New Mexico Independent) “I respect the right of CNN and the other sponsors of the June 13 New Hampshire Republican presidential primary debate to apply their own criteria and invite who they choose,” Johnson said in a statement Friday. “It is, however, unfortunate that a significant segment of the Republican Party, and more importantly, millions of independent voters who might be Republican voters, will not have a voice on the stage in Manchester.”
• Undeniably bad news for Obama (By Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post/Right Turn) And finally, the election now becomes less ideological, I would argue, and hence more perilous for Obama. The Republican challenger doesn't have to attack him as a left-wing radical (a loser message with nonideological independent voters); all the GOP opponent needs to do is point to the horrid results obtained by Obama’s policies.
• Obama seeks reshaped image for 2012 run (By Susan Page, USA TODAY) His strength is his base: In combined Gallup polls taken in May, he held the approval of 88% of African Americans and 57% of Hispanics, 88% of liberal Democrats and 58% of those under 30. His vulnerabilities: His approval rating sinks to 42% among whites, 44% among seniors, 38% among independents who don't lean to either party.

KENTUCKY
Independent Candidate for Ky. Governor Could Revitalize Frankfort Politics - Gatewood Galbraith Eyes Kentucky Governor Mansion (Tyler B. Yandall, Yahoo! Contributor Network, Associated Content)

PENNSYLVANIA
Primary changes weighed - Bill would allow independents to participate (Tribune Democrat) House Bill 958, introduced by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver, would require independent voters to register with the polling place 30 days before the primary election.

Conversations on Independence

Left of Centrist caught my attention today, pointing to John Good's Left in Aboite (cross-posted at Blue Indiana) talking about independent voters leaning left, which they think is a good thing for the Dems.... Cyberhillbilly in Kentucky was talking with Gatewood Galbraith the other day and reports that the former Reform Party candidate says that indies will determine the winner of the gov race. Cyberhillbilly (gotta love that name!) also points us to a Huffington Post article by Thomas B. Edsall talking about indies leaning to the Dems. Independents Unbound thinks "independents and disaffected conservatives will push Democrats to a landslide victory in 2008, barring another "new Pearl Harbor," and maybe because of one...."

As Virginia blogger Jerry Fuhrman From On High cautions: "Of course, the Democrats won't be nominating someone named "A. Democrat" for president; they'll be nominating the Beast From The East. Let those Washington Post pollsters substitute that name (Hillary!) for "A. Democrat" and see how those independent voters' opinions run...."

Yes, the jury's still out on this one! And lest we forget -- independent voters are notorious for not supporting parties at all....