The percentage of Americans identifying as political independents increased in 2011, as is common in a non-election year, although the 40% who did so is the highest Gallup has measured, by one percentage point. More Americans continue to identify as Democrats than as Republicans, 31% to 27%.



This is a nice capsule look at the state of the parties, and captures the angst.In recent times, Democrats peaked in 2008, Republicans peaked in 2010. We know who won those elections.

Of course, being an independent doesn't mean you vote independent. Most indies vote for one party or the other, fairly consistently.

But while this graph may not be as ominous for Democrats as it is for Republicans, neither party should feel especially good about itself.

That's especially true if the party can't relate to the 99 percent. After all, by definition, there's more of us than them.