Whether Republican, Democratic or independent, everyone seems to have an agenda and a "spin."

His first foray into politics in 1940 when he organized Wilkie for president clubs in the county, as an independent Republican.

"It's the marginal, more independent Republicans who look back and say, 'Gee, compared to Clinton, he's wonderful.' "

It is depressing to see how many normally independent Republicans have already put on the blinders.

More important, President Bush's polarizing political strategy has made it hard for independent Republicans to distinguish themselves from their party's national brand.

This is what politics looks like as conservatism wanes: feisty economic liberals against independent, party-bucking Republicans.

In politics, he was an independent Republican.

"People here know I'm an independent Republican," he said.

Currently there are 231 Republicans, 201 Democrats, 1 independent and 2 vacancies.

In her campaign, Ms. Granger said she supported abortion rights and called herself an independent Republican.