Is it worth joining a political party...

[Sir Coffeebeans]

or is it better to remain independent? I can't decide whether I want to vote in the primaries or not.

[Lunar]

They don't really return anything back either way

[Sir Coffeebeans]

That's very pessimistic. All I'm saying is whether I should join a party, for me the Democrats, and vote in every primary, or just relax and be an independent, only getting off the couch for the main elections in November.

[Lunar]

Well, I have to warn you, our presidential primary should be pretty boring in four years, and all but a couple of our senatorial primaries should be so so as well in 2010.  I suppose it depends on where you live

[Sir Coffeebeans]

There probably won't be a Democratic primary in 4 years, but how about in 8? Is it worth voting then?

[Franzl]

what kind of question is this?

Shouldn't you decide yourself whether you want to vote?

[Sir Coffeebeans]

The point I am trying to make is:
Are there any drawbacks to nationally identifying with a political party, or is it better to go commando, per se, and just be an independent?

[Associate Justice PiT]

     I suppose the question is do you really want to be a member of a party? I've always wanted to be a member of a party (first of the Republicans & then of the Libertarians), but being in a party is not for everyone.

     Point is, if you would honestly rather be an independent, I don't see being able to vote in primaries as being enough of an incentive to re-register with a party.

[Sir Coffeebeans]

Right. I am starting to lean that way myself. I am thinking that the primaries are almost always clear-cut, with the lone exception of this year's Democratic Primary, by the time I would decide to vote. I guess I would only choose to register and vote in a primary if I feel that it is necessary to vote in a close election.

[Eraserhead]

Depends where you live... there is a reason that people as diverse as Sam Spade, Straha and I are all registered Democrats in New York...

[Sir Coffeebeans]

Well, I am a US citizen, who used to live in CA, but I am living in Amsterdam at the moment. I am considering moving back to the US, most likely California again.