Repub/Dem gap: the defection of independent voters

The gap between Republican and Democratic identification, which Pew measured by counting people who are leaning toward one party or the other as well as those with a firm allegiances, is the widest spread between the parties since Pew began the studies. Although the gap speaks to the GOP's current troubles, Kohut said the shift mostly reflects the defection of independents from the party rather than a more favorable overall assessment of the Democratic Party. (from LA Times reprinted in Seattle Times)