American independents movement: Fewer identify with political parties

By Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Polling Director
Updated 3:18 PM EDT, Tue April 21, 2015
Ahead of his campaign announcement, Rand Paul's camp released his 2016 slogan: "Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American dream."
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Ahead of his campaign announcement, Rand Paul's camp released his 2016 slogan: "Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American dream."
Paul supporters are handed placards reading "I Stand with Rand" while waiting in line for a book signing with the senator at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
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Paul supporters are handed placards reading "I Stand with Rand" while waiting in line for a book signing with the senator at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Supporters of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stand near a Ready for Hillary bus after Clinton spoke about her book "Hard Choices." The "Ready for Hillary" slogan quickly became popular through the Ready for Hillary Super PAC, urging Clinton to run for president.
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Supporters of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stand near a Ready for Hillary bus after Clinton spoke about her book "Hard Choices." The "Ready for Hillary" slogan quickly became popular through the Ready for Hillary Super PAC, urging Clinton to run for president.
An iPhone with an "I'm Ready for Hillary" background is shown off at the Ready For Hillary Super PAC offices in Alexandria, Virginia.
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An iPhone with an "I'm Ready for Hillary" background is shown off at the Ready For Hillary Super PAC offices in Alexandria, Virginia.
Supporters cheer and wave "Forward" signs as President Barack Obama speaks at a rally on September 2, 2012, in Boulder, Colorado.
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Supporters cheer and wave "Forward" signs as President Barack Obama speaks at a rally on September 2, 2012, in Boulder, Colorado.
People cheer as Obama speaks on stage as he accepts the nomination for president on September 6, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina. After his successful "Hope and Change" 2008 campaign, Obama ran for reelection on the slogan "Forward."
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Alex Wong/Getty Images
People cheer as Obama speaks on stage as he accepts the nomination for president on September 6, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina. After his successful "Hope and Change" 2008 campaign, Obama ran for reelection on the slogan "Forward."
People cheer as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado, on July 10, 2012. Supporters hold up "Colorado Believes" signs, based on Romney's "Believe in America" campaign slogan.
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People cheer as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a town hall meeting in Grand Junction, Colorado, on July 10, 2012. Supporters hold up "Colorado Believes" signs, based on Romney's "Believe in America" campaign slogan.
Excited supporters cheer and hold up "Believe in America" signs as Romney arrives for a campaign stop in Rockford, Illinois, on March 18, 2012.
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Excited supporters cheer and hold up "Believe in America" signs as Romney arrives for a campaign stop in Rockford, Illinois, on March 18, 2012.
"Yes We Can" and "Change" were two of the most popular Obama campaign slogans in 2008.
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"Yes We Can" and "Change" were two of the most popular Obama campaign slogans in 2008.
Obama's camp also used "Change We Can Believe In" during the 2008 campaign.
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Obama's camp also used "Change We Can Believe In" during the 2008 campaign.
A child holds up a "Country First" sign while waiting for vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and presidential nominee Sen. John McCain at a rally of supporters on September 18, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
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A child holds up a "Country First" sign while waiting for vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and presidential nominee Sen. John McCain at a rally of supporters on September 18, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
John Kerry signs "The Real Deal" campaign posters for supporters after a rally on April 27, 2004, in Youngstown, Ohio.
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John Kerry signs "The Real Deal" campaign posters for supporters after a rally on April 27, 2004, in Youngstown, Ohio.
President George W. Bush waves from the stage during a bill-signing ceremony for the No Child Left Behind Act during a visit to Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, on January 8, 2002. "Leave No Child Behind" was a popular slogan during Bush's presidential campaign.
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President George W. Bush waves from the stage during a bill-signing ceremony for the No Child Left Behind Act during a visit to Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Ohio, on January 8, 2002. "Leave No Child Behind" was a popular slogan during Bush's presidential campaign.
Bush ran as a "compassionate conservative," which became a popular slogan during his campaign.
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PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Bush ran as a "compassionate conservative," which became a popular slogan during his campaign.
Hispanic supporters of Bush cheer and hold up a sign that reads "A New Day" in Spanish, after the Texas governor won the Republican Party's unofficial "straw poll" on August 14, 1999, in Ames, Iowa.
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Hispanic supporters of Bush cheer and hold up a sign that reads "A New Day" in Spanish, after the Texas governor won the Republican Party's unofficial "straw poll" on August 14, 1999, in Ames, Iowa.
In 2000, Ralph Nader ran on: "Government Of, By, and For the People ... Not the Monied Interests."
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In 2000, Ralph Nader ran on: "Government Of, By, and For the People ... Not the Monied Interests."
1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole's campaign slogan was "The Better Man for a Better America."
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J. DAVID AKE/AFP/Getty Images
1996 Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole's campaign slogan was "The Better Man for a Better America."
President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush wave to supporters on October 12, 1992, at a campaign rally in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Buttons and posters that read "Stand by the President" and "Let's Stand by our Desert Storm Commander-in-Chief" were popular during his re-election campaign.
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LUKE FRAZZA/AFP/Getty Images
President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush wave to supporters on October 12, 1992, at a campaign rally in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Buttons and posters that read "Stand by the President" and "Let's Stand by our Desert Storm Commander-in-Chief" were popular during his re-election campaign.
A badge for the 1992 presidential election features Democratic candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore with the slogan "Hope not fear."
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A badge for the 1992 presidential election features Democratic candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore with the slogan "Hope not fear."
In 1992, Clinton ran on the slogan "Putting People First."
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PAUL RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
In 1992, Clinton ran on the slogan "Putting People First."
Behind Ronald Reagan are campaign posters with one of his most famous slogans: "Let's make America great again."
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Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Behind Ronald Reagan are campaign posters with one of his most famous slogans: "Let's make America great again."
Reagan smiles as he speaks about his presidential campaign in 1979 front of a large banner with his campaign slogan, "The Time is Now."
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Reagan smiles as he speaks about his presidential campaign in 1979 front of a large banner with his campaign slogan, "The Time is Now."
President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford sit in the back seat of a car in 1975. Ford's 1976 campaign slogan was, "He's Making us Proud Again."
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President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford sit in the back seat of a car in 1975. Ford's 1976 campaign slogan was, "He's Making us Proud Again."
Jimmy Carter looks up while shoveling peanuts on a peanut farm sometime in the 1970s. Carter was a peanut farmer, and "Not Just Peanuts" was one of his campaign slogans during the 1976 presidential election.
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Jimmy Carter looks up while shoveling peanuts on a peanut farm sometime in the 1970s. Carter was a peanut farmer, and "Not Just Peanuts" was one of his campaign slogans during the 1976 presidential election.
Two supporters of Richard Nixon attend the Republican National Convention on August 9, 1968, in Miami Beach, Florida, where Nixon was nominated Republican presidential candidate. His campaign slogan was, "Nixon's the One."
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Two supporters of Richard Nixon attend the Republican National Convention on August 9, 1968, in Miami Beach, Florida, where Nixon was nominated Republican presidential candidate. His campaign slogan was, "Nixon's the One."
Sen. Robert Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and President Lyndon Johnson attend an election rally on November 3, 1964, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Johnson's slogan was, "The Stakes are Too High for You to Stay at Home."
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Sen. Robert Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and President Lyndon Johnson attend an election rally on November 3, 1964, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Johnson's slogan was, "The Stakes are Too High for You to Stay at Home."
Two "Goldwater girls" in July 1964 in Sherman Oaks, California, campaign for Barry Goldwater, the Republican candidate for president. Goldwater's campaign slogan was, "In Your Heart You Know He's Right."
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Two "Goldwater girls" in July 1964 in Sherman Oaks, California, campaign for Barry Goldwater, the Republican candidate for president. Goldwater's campaign slogan was, "In Your Heart You Know He's Right."
Nixon's campaign slogan was "For the Future." He waves to the crowds with his wife, Pat, as he leaves the Hotel Commodore in New York on September 30, 1960.
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Nixon's campaign slogan was "For the Future." He waves to the crowds with his wife, Pat, as he leaves the Hotel Commodore in New York on September 30, 1960.
Supporters could sport this 1952 campaign button for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican candidate for president in the election.
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Supporters could sport this 1952 campaign button for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Republican candidate for president in the election.
President Harry S Truman smiles and waves to the excited Kansas City crowd after hearing the news that he had won the election to retain the presidency in 1948. Truman famously adopted the slogan "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" after a supporter yelled the phrase during a campaign event.
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President Harry S Truman smiles and waves to the excited Kansas City crowd after hearing the news that he had won the election to retain the presidency in 1948. Truman famously adopted the slogan "Give 'em Hell, Harry!" after a supporter yelled the phrase during a campaign event.
Truman holds a flag bearing the Seal of the United States, circa 1945. Truman used the slogan, "I'm just wild about Harry."
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Truman holds a flag bearing the Seal of the United States, circa 1945. Truman used the slogan, "I'm just wild about Harry."
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his colleagues pose aboard "The Roosevelt Special" campaign train on September 14, 1932. When Roosevelt ran for president eight years later, he used the slogan, "Better a third-termer than a third-rater."
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his colleagues pose aboard "The Roosevelt Special" campaign train on September 14, 1932. When Roosevelt ran for president eight years later, he used the slogan, "Better a third-termer than a third-rater."
Roosevelt chats to two Georgia farmers in 1932, the first year he was elected president. During his first campaign for the presidency, he used the slogan, "Happy days are here again."
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H William Tetlow/Getty Images
Roosevelt chats to two Georgia farmers in 1932, the first year he was elected president. During his first campaign for the presidency, he used the slogan, "Happy days are here again."
Herbert Hoover listens to a one-valve radio set circa 1928. Hoover's campaign slogan in 1928 was, "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage."
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Herbert Hoover listens to a one-valve radio set circa 1928. Hoover's campaign slogan in 1928 was, "A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage."
Calvin Coolidge inspects a campaign truck painted with images of Coolidge and his running mate, Coolidge's birthplace in Plymouth, Vermont, and the campaign slogan, "Two common sense Americans," circa 1929.
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Calvin Coolidge inspects a campaign truck painted with images of Coolidge and his running mate, Coolidge's birthplace in Plymouth, Vermont, and the campaign slogan, "Two common sense Americans," circa 1929.
Coolidge mows his father's farm in Plymouth, Vermont, circa 1920. Coolidge used the slogan "Keep cool with Coolidge" in 1924.
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Coolidge mows his father's farm in Plymouth, Vermont, circa 1920. Coolidge used the slogan "Keep cool with Coolidge" in 1924.
Warren G. Harding and first lady Florence Harding leave the U.S. Army Port of Debarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 23, 1921. Harding used the campaign slogan "A return to normalcy" in 1920.
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Warren G. Harding and first lady Florence Harding leave the U.S. Army Port of Debarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 23, 1921. Harding used the campaign slogan "A return to normalcy" in 1920.
Harding dresses as a cowboy for a presidential party in the West in July 1923. Harding also used the slogan "Cox and cocktails," a jab at his anti-Prohibition opponent, in 1920.
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Harding dresses as a cowboy for a presidential party in the West in July 1923. Harding also used the slogan "Cox and cocktails," a jab at his anti-Prohibition opponent, in 1920.
A campaign poster supporting the re-election of President Theodore Roosevelt stresses his policies of sound money, expansion, protection and prosperity. Roosevelt, who assumed the presidency when President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, used the slogan, "Stand pat!"
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A campaign poster supporting the re-election of President Theodore Roosevelt stresses his policies of sound money, expansion, protection and prosperity. Roosevelt, who assumed the presidency when President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, used the slogan, "Stand pat!"
"Patriotism, Protection, and Prosperity" was McKinley's slogan in 1896. He served as the 25th president until his assassination in 1901, six months into his second term.
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Library of Congress
"Patriotism, Protection, and Prosperity" was McKinley's slogan in 1896. He served as the 25th president until his assassination in 1901, six months into his second term.
"Rejuvenated Republicanism" was Benjamin Harrison's slogan in 1888. He served as the 24th president of the United States, defeating incumbent President Grover Cleveland.
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Library of Congress
"Rejuvenated Republicanism" was Benjamin Harrison's slogan in 1888. He served as the 24th president of the United States, defeating incumbent President Grover Cleveland.
"Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine," was Grover Cleveland's slogan in 1884. He served as both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.
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"Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine," was Grover Cleveland's slogan in 1884. He served as both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States.
"54-40 or Fight" was James K. Polk's slogan in 1844 — a reference to the territory expansion the U.S. hoped to make. The northern border of the Oregon was located at the 54 degrees, 40 minutes line of latitude.
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The National Archives
"54-40 or Fight" was James K. Polk's slogan in 1844 — a reference to the territory expansion the U.S. hoped to make. The northern border of the Oregon was located at the 54 degrees, 40 minutes line of latitude.
"Ma, Ma, Where's my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha," was James Blaine's slogan in 1884. He lost the presidential election to Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.
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Library of Congress
"Ma, Ma, Where's my Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha," was James Blaine's slogan in 1884. He lost the presidential election to Grover Cleveland, who served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States.
"Don't Swap Horses in the Middle of the Stream" was President Abraham Lincoln's slogan in 1864.
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Library of Congress
"Don't Swap Horses in the Middle of the Stream" was President Abraham Lincoln's slogan in 1864.
"Vote Yourself a Farm" was Lincoln's slogan in 1860.
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Library of Congress
"Vote Yourself a Farm" was Lincoln's slogan in 1860.
"Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, and Fremont" was John C. Fremont's slogan in 1856.
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Library of Congress
"Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men, and Fremont" was John C. Fremont's slogan in 1856.
"For President of the People" was Zachary Taylor's slogan in 1848.
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USA.gov
"For President of the People" was Zachary Taylor's slogan in 1848.
"Who is James K. Polk?" was Henry Clay's slogan in 1844.
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"Who is James K. Polk?" was Henry Clay's slogan in 1844.
"Reannexation of Texas and Reoccupation of Oregon" was Polk's slogan in 1844.
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Library of Congress
"Reannexation of Texas and Reoccupation of Oregon" was Polk's slogan in 1844.
"Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" was William Henry Harrison's slogan in 1840.
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The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
"Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" was William Henry Harrison's slogan in 1840.
Washington CNN  — 

Americans are increasingly declaring themselves independent.

A new analysis by the Pew Research Center finds that 39% of Americans considered themselves politically independent in 2014, the largest share to say so across more than 75 years of polling data.

Americans who do align themselves with a party tilt Democratic, with 32% across Pew’s 2014 surveys calling themselves Democrats compared with 23% Republican. Despite the shift toward independence, nearly 9 in 10 say they at least lean more toward one party over the other. Adding in these “leaners,” 48% of Americans are Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents, 39% Republicans or Republican-leaning independents, leaving 13% who say they do not have a partisan tilt. Among registered voters, the gap between the parties narrows to just 5 percentage points: 48% lean Democratic, 43% Republican.

The shift away from partisan affiliation has occurred during a sustained period of government distrust and distaste for partisan politics. In the last year, negative impressions of government have displaced the economy atop Gallup’s monthly measure of the nation’s most important problem. The polling organization also recently reported that for the first time in its history of tracking favorability ratings for the two major parties, positive feelings toward both dipped below 40%.

Trust in government has hovered near historic lows in many polls, and approval ratings for Congress haven’t been in positive territory in more than a decade.

The shift toward more political independence has been driven largely by younger Americans. Among those under age 34 in 2014, 48% considered themselves independents, an increase over the last decade, while the trend lines on independent affiliation for older Americans are flatter for the same time period.

Those younger adults who do favor a party are more likely to prefer the Democrats over the Republicans. Once leaners are included, 51% choose the Democratic side, 35% the Republicans.

And that, notes Jocelyn Kiley, associate director of research at the Pew Research Center, reveals an important limitation to the shift away from partisanship. Independent identification, she said, “is not yet signaling that they’re not voting for one party or the other.”

At the voting booth, Americans still wind up choosing between the Democrats and the Republicans, and shifting demographic patterns in the U.S. could lead to broader advantages for the Democratic Party over time.

“Millennials are coming in as more independent,” Kiley said, “but when you look at how they’re voting and their leaned party identification, they’re also the strongest generation for Democrats.”

The segments of the population that are growing most quickly - Hispanics, Asian-Americans, the non-religious, and those with college degrees - are far more Democratic than others, and in some cases, are becoming more Democratic.

By contrast, the groups that have become more Republican - whites, the silent generation and white evangelical Protestants - are declining as a share of the population.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things: his family and whether he can lift America's spirit. His father and brother are former Presidents.
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Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush has said his decision to run for the Republican nomination will be based on two things: his family and whether he can lift America's spirit. His father and brother are former Presidents.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has created a political committee that will help him travel and raise money while he considers a 2016 bid. Additionally, billionaire businessman David Koch said in a private gathering in Manhattan this month that he wants Walker to be the next president, but he doesn't plan to back anyone in the primaries.
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Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has created a political committee that will help him travel and raise money while he considers a 2016 bid. Additionally, billionaire businessman David Koch said in a private gathering in Manhattan this month that he wants Walker to be the next president, but he doesn't plan to back anyone in the primaries.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is establishing a committee to formally explore a White House bid. "If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction," he said in a news release <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/18/politics/bobby-jindal-forms-exploratory-committee/index.html">provided to CNN on Monday, May 18</a>.
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Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is establishing a committee to formally explore a White House bid. "If I run, my candidacy will be based on the idea that the American people are ready to try a dramatically different direction," he said in a news release provided to CNN on Monday, May 18.
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/28/politics/bernie-sanders-2016-election-announcement/index.html">Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans looking to take back control of the government from billionaires. He first announced the run in an email to supporters early on the morning of Thursday, April 30.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, has said the United States needs a "political revolution" of working-class Americans looking to take back control of the government from billionaires. He first announced the run in an email to supporters early on the morning of Thursday, April 30.
On March 2, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced the launch of an exploratory committee. The move will allow him to raise money that could eventually be transferred to an official presidential campaign and indicates he is on track with stated plans to formally announce a bid in May.
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On March 2, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced the launch of an exploratory committee. The move will allow him to raise money that could eventually be transferred to an official presidential campaign and indicates he is on track with stated plans to formally announce a bid in May.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has said he'll make a decision about a presidential run sometime soon. A potential bid could focus on Graham's foreign policy stance.
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South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has said he'll make a decision about a presidential run sometime soon. A potential bid could focus on Graham's foreign policy stance.
Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid Sunday, April 12, through a video message on social media. She continues to be considered the overwhelming front-runner among possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidates.
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Hillary Clinton launched her presidential bid Sunday, April 12, through a video message on social media. She continues to be considered the overwhelming front-runner among possible 2016 Democratic presidential candidates.
Sen. Marco Rubio announced his bid for the 2016 presidency on Monday, April 13, a day after Hillary Clinton, with a rally in Florida. He's a Republican rising star from Florida who swept into office in 2010 on the back of tea party fervor. But his support of comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, has led some in his party to sour on his prospects.
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Sen. Marco Rubio announced his bid for the 2016 presidency on Monday, April 13, a day after Hillary Clinton, with a rally in Florida. He's a Republican rising star from Florida who swept into office in 2010 on the back of tea party fervor. But his support of comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but has stalled in the House, has led some in his party to sour on his prospects.
Lincoln Chafee, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat former governor and senator of Rhode Island, said he's running for president on Thursday, April 16, as a Democrat, but his spokeswoman said the campaign is still in the presidential exploratory committee stages.
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Lincoln Chafee, a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat former governor and senator of Rhode Island, said he's running for president on Thursday, April 16, as a Democrat, but his spokeswoman said the campaign is still in the presidential exploratory committee stages.
Jim Webb, the former Democratic senator from Virginia, is entertaining a 2016 presidential run. In January, he told NPR that his party has not focused on white, working-class voters in past elections.
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Jim Webb, the former Democratic senator from Virginia, is entertaining a 2016 presidential run. In January, he told NPR that his party has not focused on white, working-class voters in past elections.
Vice President Joe Biden has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office -- in 1988 and 2008. A former senator known for his foreign policy and national security expertise, Biden made the rounds on the morning shows recently and said he thinks he'd "make a good President."
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Vice President Joe Biden has twice before made unsuccessful bids for the Oval Office -- in 1988 and 2008. A former senator known for his foreign policy and national security expertise, Biden made the rounds on the morning shows recently and said he thinks he'd "make a good President."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has started a series of town halls in New Hampshire to test the presidential waters, becoming more comfortable talking about national issues and staking out positions on hot topic debates.
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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has started a series of town halls in New Hampshire to test the presidential waters, becoming more comfortable talking about national issues and staking out positions on hot topic debates.
Rep. Paul Ryan, a former 2012 vice presidential candidate and fiscally conservative budget hawk, says he's keeping his "options open" for a possible presidential run but is not focused on it.
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Rep. Paul Ryan, a former 2012 vice presidential candidate and fiscally conservative budget hawk, says he's keeping his "options open" for a possible presidential run but is not focused on it.
Sen. Rand Paul officially announced his presidential bid on Tuesday, April 7, at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky. The tea party favorite probably will have to address previous controversies that include comments on civil rights, a plagiarism allegation and his assertion that the top NSA official lied to Congress about surveillance.
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Sen. Rand Paul officially announced his presidential bid on Tuesday, April 7, at a rally in Louisville, Kentucky. The tea party favorite probably will have to address previous controversies that include comments on civil rights, a plagiarism allegation and his assertion that the top NSA official lied to Congress about surveillance.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz announced his 2016 presidential bid on Monday, March 23, in a speech at Liberty University. The first-term Republican and tea party darling is considered a gifted orator and smart politician. He is best known in the Senate for his marathon filibuster over defunding Obamacare.
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Texas Sen. Ted Cruz announced his 2016 presidential bid on Monday, March 23, in a speech at Liberty University. The first-term Republican and tea party darling is considered a gifted orator and smart politician. He is best known in the Senate for his marathon filibuster over defunding Obamacare.
Democrat Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, released a "buzzy" political video in November 2013 in tandem with visits to New Hampshire. He also headlined a Democratic Party event in South Carolina, which holds the first Southern primary.
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Democrat Martin O'Malley, the former Maryland governor, released a "buzzy" political video in November 2013 in tandem with visits to New Hampshire. He also headlined a Democratic Party event in South Carolina, which holds the first Southern primary.
Republican Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, announced in 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election, leading to speculation that he might mount a second White House bid.
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Republican Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, announced in 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election, leading to speculation that he might mount a second White House bid.
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a social conservative, gave Mitt Romney his toughest challenge in the nomination fight last time out and has made trips recently to early voting states, including Iowa and South Carolina.
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Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a social conservative, gave Mitt Romney his toughest challenge in the nomination fight last time out and has made trips recently to early voting states, including Iowa and South Carolina.
Political observers expect New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to yield to Hillary Clinton's run in 2016, fearing there wouldn't be room in the race for two Democrats from the Empire State.
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Political observers expect New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to yield to Hillary Clinton's run in 2016, fearing there wouldn't be room in the race for two Democrats from the Empire State.