Independent Dissatisfaction and Democratic Opportunity

By now we all know the limitations of polls. polling data can be flawed in a host of ways. Nonetheless, just as it would be folly to look at polls and think that they are unerring reflections of the body politic, so too would it be silly to dismiss them out of hand. If this news, which indicates that independent voters are leaning Democrat by a 2-1 margin, represents an accurate reflection of the views of independents, we could be looking at even more of a seismic shift in November than some are predicting.

Democrats need to avoid hubris, however. As with most dramatic shifts in Congress, this one will as much as anything represent anger and frustration with the ruling party. It will not in and of itself represent a mandate for Democratic policies. What this means is that in office, the Democrats face a tremendous opportunity if they do not overreach.