◼ ...Clearly, most have come to accept (including political experts) that California will easily go for President Obama. After all, in 2008, President Obama easily took the state with 61 percent of the vote, compared to John McCain, who received only 36.9 percent....
There is very little information to indicate that 2012 will be much different....unless, of course, one considers another very important statistic.
...Independents in California make up 21 percent of the total electorate.
Why is that important?
In 2008, independents gave Obama a huge boost (Breitbart.com). Obama cruised to victory over McCain with a margin of 52-44 among independents, an 8 point margin. Buying into candidate Obama's claims of a bi-partisan, transparent, work-across-the-isle era of governance, millions of independents cast their vote for the youngster, slick, smoothe talker from the state of Illinois.
In 2012? Not so much.
Nationwide now, Mitt Romney is holding a sizeable lead among independents. Romney is now leading by 16 points, 51-35! That is quite a turnaround from 2008.
Granted, that huge lead among independents may not be as big in California, but it is a clear indication that independents (who will most certainly play a HUGE role in 2012, nationwide) can just as easily play that pivotal role even in California.
So, will independents help Mitt Romney win California, which would mark the first time a Republican carries the state since 1988 (when Bush Sr. won it)?
Yes, this certainly seems outlandish, but you never know. Don't be too quick to discount those pesky independents and the growing wave of disilluionment over President Obama's inability to turn things around.
