---
title: "Independent Support for Bush"
description: "That's the percentage of political independents who now say they approve of President Bush's job performance.  Independent voters proved crucial to the Democrats' victory on Nov. 7."
date: "2006-12-05"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2006/12/05/independent-support-for-bush/"
categories:
  - "Party Identification"
  - "Political Parties"
---

# Independent Support for Bush

Only about one-in-four political independents say they now approve of President Bush’s job performance. Independent voters proved crucial to the Democrats’ victory on Nov. 7. By 57%-39%, independent voters cast ballots for Democratic candidates, according to national exit polls. Two years ago, independent voters were more divided (50% Democrat/46% Republican).[Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/88/centrists-deliver-for-democrats)