How many independents/undecideds remain?

[Joe Biden 2020]

As of today (Tuesday, 14 August 2012), we are 12 weeks from Election Day.  In the swing states, how many independents/undecided voters still remain?  Is there a good number of them, left, or is it slim pickens?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Basen on most polling, about 4-5%, though people shift in and out of undecided mode (for instance, you just went from Romney to undecided)

[Joe Biden 2020]

Good point, Snowstalker.  I figured it was in the range you mentioned and is a pretty fluid number.

[Adam Griffin]

Basen on most polling, about 4-5%, though people shift in and out of undecided mode (for instance, you just went from Romney to undecided)

I tend to think that it could be even lower, maybe 3%. Many "undecideds" are really decided, and they just convince themselves that they have an open mind but generally go one way or another in most elections. It's crazy to think that all of this election hoop-la is vying for maybe 4-5 million people at this point - and that's nationally. When we are talking about swing states, it's probably a low six-digit number.

[Napoleon]

Basen on most polling, about 4-5%, though people shift in and out of undecided mode (for instance, you just went from Romney to undecided)

I tend to think that it could be even lower, maybe 3%. Many "undecideds" are really decided, and they just convince themselves that they have an open mind but generally go one way or another in most elections. It's crazy to think that all of this election hoop-la is vying for maybe 4-5 million people at this point - and that's nationally. When we are talking about swing states, it's probably a low six-digit number.

Campaigns are about turnout. That is why both tickets are catering to the base instead of moving to the center. And while Obama isn't much of a progressive, his rhetoric excites labor and minorities more than the moderate suburban liberal vote or anti-war liberals.

[Wisconsin+17]

Uh, I'm independent, but have been 'decided' for about 4 months now.

[Likely Voter]

The pick of Paul Ryan shows that the Romney campaign feel this race is more about consolidating and getting out their vote than it is about targeting persuadable voters. After the negative ad blitz the undecideds will more likely decide to not vote at all. Romney's bigger problem was he was losing enthusiasm within the GOP. The blowup over his spokesperson last week showed how the base were on a hair trigger to abandon him. Ryan has inoculated him with the Anne Coulter vote

[milhouse24]

I think Obama lost a lot of voters in 2010, and those voters are gone.  If obama wins in 2012, it will likely be by a very slim margin.  So, obama has lost the independents and at this point in time, there really is no chance at getting them back.  They are going to either stay home or vote for Romney. 

Obama's only play is to excite young voters and strong liberals to vote for him.  He needs to emphasize the success of Universal Health Care and other issues to remind people of his accomplishments.

Romney and Ryan need to excite the base, but Romney is also appealing to more Independents in polling, than Obama.  Its just a matter of getting them off the couch and pulling the lever for Romney.