Ever wondered why Arizona's political landscape is gradually changing? Today's enlightening discussion spotlights the rising trend of independent voters who are dictating the state's political atmosphere. According to the Arizona Secretary of State's office, these unaffiliated voters now make up the largest voting bloc, shaping the political narrative and shifting the state's representation. We also delve into the contentious standoff between Republicans and Democrats, and the impact of the "Woke Far Right" agenda on the Democrats.
What's fueling this dramatic shift? It's an apparent dissatisfaction with the traditional two-party system, leading to a surge in independent voters. The challenge for future candidates? Catering to this diverse voting bloc and their unique ideologies. We examine this intricate puzzle, advocating for informed voting and active political participation. As we wrap up, we reflect on the narratives of Arizonians and their significant role in this transition. By tuning into the Walt Blackman Show, you can join us in making Arizona a symbol of political change and progress.
Ever wondered why Arizona's political landscape is gradually changing? Today's enlightening discussion spotlights the rising trend of independent voters who are dictating the state's political atmosphere. According to the Arizona Secretary of State's office, these unaffiliated voters now make up the largest voting bloc, shaping the political narrative and shifting the state's representation. We also delve into the contentious standoff between Republicans and Democrats, and the impact of the "Woke Far Right" agenda on the Democrats.
What's fueling this dramatic shift? It's an apparent dissatisfaction with the traditional two-party system, leading to a surge in independent voters. The challenge for future candidates? Catering to this diverse voting bloc and their unique ideologies. We examine this intricate puzzle, advocating for informed voting and active political participation. As we wrap up, we reflect on the narratives of Arizonians and their significant role in this transition. By tuning into the Walt Blackman Show, you can join us in making Arizona a symbol of political change and progress.
As sit back and relax and get ready for the Walt Blackman show.
Speaker 2:Hello everybody, I'm Walt Blackman and you're tuned in to the Walt Blackman show. On today's episode, we're going to be diving into a heated political landscape of Arizona. And nope, it's not just the hot sun beaming on the back of your neck. Recent data has uncovered a growing trend here in Arizona For the first time since 2016, we're seeing unaffiliated voters in Arizona outpacing registered Republicans. What's the temperature like? Well, I'll tell you, it's a whopping 1.4 million, ladies and gentlemen, 1.4 million who identify themselves as other. So what does that mean? Well, we'll get back to that after these messages from our sponsor.
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Speaker 2:Welcome back everybody. So where's the data coming from? Well, it's coming straight from the Arizona Secretary of State's office. These unaffiliated are other registrants now comprised of about 35% of Arizona voting block. Yeah, that's right, they've edged past the 1.4 million registered Republican voters and registered Democrats. Because the Democrats are pulling are. The Democrats are closely trailing at 1.2 million. And let's not forget about libertarians and the no labels group, with over 33,000 and 8500 registered voters respectively. Now this is in the state of Arizona. They're making sure everybody that their voices are part of the mix. Now, and typically in the past in Arizona we didn't have that An astonishing 27% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of both major parties, that's, republicans and the Democrats.
Speaker 2:This isn't a small number, everybody. It's the highest we've ever seen since the polls began back in 1994. Now, why do you think that is happening? Well, I can't say for sure. However, based on what I have seen everybody now you can probably guess or figure out why that number is around 27% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of both of the major parties.
Speaker 2:Well, let's take a look at the Republican Party. We have the end fighting. It's going on, particularly here in Arizona. We have the indictments that are going on with former President Trump. We have the politics of DC not really doing what they have been elected to do in Arizona for Arizona. Let's take a look at the Democrat Party, because they are not doing any better than the Republicans here in Arizona. Now, with the woke far right agenda, you are seeing blue dog old school Democrats leave the party, and that's because folks like AOC and the squad have basically taken over the Democrat Party, not only in DC but around the country, but with the likes of powerhouses in Arizona, such as Senator or Christian cinema. It brings us to a tantalizing question. Everybody can an independent or a third party candidate actually clinched victory in the Arizona battleground? That's a question we need to be asking ourselves, because we are starting to see more independence.
Speaker 2:As I said, leave both of these parties. What does that mean for politicians or those folks that are candidates? Well, they're going to have to straddle the ideology of independent voters. However, here is the catch the term independent is a broad umbrella and we should know that it doesn't represent one single ideology. Now, from a staunch conservatives view to progressive liberals, they find that they can find some sort of shelter under this political ideology called independent voters or independent ideologies.
Speaker 2:While many wearing independent bands, a large portion of these voters still have a soft corner or a soft spot for one of the major parties or the other. So, for example, you can probably see that a Republican would leave the Republican Party but still be conservative, and vice versa. Now, as we peak under the PUSE number from 2018, only a tiny 7% generally don't show a preference. What does that mean? 7% of a voting block could mean the difference between a W or a loss. So we need to make sure that what we are doing as a party, a Republican Party, that we are reaching independent voters. Now what does this add up to? We're going to be talking about that after the break.
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Speaker 1:If you're looking to catch up on Walt's past shows, all you need to do is go to Apple Podcast, spotify Podcast Index, amazon Music Podcast, attic Podchaser or End Player FM. You can also go to his website at wwwbussproutcom and click on the Walt Blackman show. Now here's more of Walt coming at you on the Walt Blackman show.
Speaker 2:Hello everybody, welcome back. What it adds is another layer of complexity to the level of the political engagement here in Arizona. Now, if history and data are anything to go by, independent voters might not be as politically active as their Democrat or Republican counterparts. This scope of views among independent voters may get challenging for politicians to charm, and that's what I was talking about. These folks that are running for office are going to have to straddle the line. Now I'm not saying compromise their conservative values or the principles of the conservative Republican Party. I am talking about typically in some of these primary races we see that Republicans go hard right just to gather up their votes, just to gather up their group of hard right conservatives to vote for them during a primary, and then they try to swing back to somewhere in the middle during the general so they can get some of those independent voters. Now you can't do that In the primary. You have to really judge and find out where your base is at and where you can get the most votes and, based on this new data that I've seen coming out of the Secretary of State's website, you are going to have to straddle. You are going to have to change your the way you do your campaigning. And this is, this is every, this is every Republican. Now, I can't speak for the Democrat base, I'm talking about conservative Republicans. So the narrative of the hard, hard right may not get you a W during the primary. So, as we stand on, you know the shifting sands here in Arizona and the political landscape. One thing is clear, and I need to make this clear that our voters here in Arizona are changing and evolving and asking more questions and, with the rising tide of independent voters here in the Grand Canyon State, future elections promise to be nothing short than exhilarating. Today, we will be right back after a word from our sponsors.
Speaker 2:Now, before we wrap up today, I've got a couple of more tidbits for you. As we reflect on the changing political scenario in Arizona, we have to recognize the importance of engaging and dialogue, of understanding the different perspectives and of ensuring our voices are heard. Now, why is that? Well, I invite all of you to listen today, to reach out and join the conversation, this conversation online. You can call in, you can go to my Twitter or you can go to hashtag wall blackman show and tell us what you think about this. Tell us what you feel about the rising number of independent voters. Do you see it as a single change or just a fleeting moment, you know, is this just something that will pass? Now, for those who are recently registered as other, I'd like for you to share your stories as well.
Speaker 2:Now we're going to be reading some of the comments that some of the other or the independent voters have sent to me, because I think it's important that people hear this Now. We want to know what made them step away from the traditional party lines, and some of us call it reform, some of us call it running from the party, some of us call it thinking on your own. So the desire for new voices, personal journey of political self-discovery, is what we are seeing more and more and more of from Arizona voters. Now let's talk to our younger listeners, and I'm talking about the millennials and generation Z that's out there For the future of the party. Whatever party you belong to, how do you perceive these trends as you step into the realm of voting? What are you looking for in a candidate or a party and that's something that the Republican Party has not been really good at doing reaching out to that particular group of voters millennials and the generation Z that's out there Now. I want you to remember this. Now every voice matters here in Arizona. Every perspective adds up to a new dimension and in this evolving political landscape, it's crucial everybody Now listen to me very carefully. It's crucial we come together and find common ground and work towards a future where every Arizona field is represented, because now you're going to have to do that, doesn't matter what side of the aisle you are on, because, as we see, this trend continue to grow. Now I remember what I said at the beginning show it's 35% here in Arizona, we are going to see more and more people journey to the middle, which is other are independent. Now we're not done yet. We're almost done and I want to really talk about some of the comments that I got about this particular topic. Now. We've got some emails that I want to read to our listeners here on the Walt Blackman show so we can get a better idea what some of these millennials are, these generation Z folks, are talking about. Remember, these folks are going to be voting here pretty soon, if they're not voting already. Now we've got an email here from Sarah in Tempe, arizona, and Sarah writes Walt, I've been following your discussion on the rising independent voter base.
Speaker 2:As a newly registered independent, I believe we're seeking more accountability and transparency from our politicians. It's not just about party loyalty anymore, it's about who generally works for the people of Arizona. Thanks, and I enjoy your show. We see that number one. She's a newly registered voter and what did she vote for and what did she registered as an independent? What does she want? She wants more accountability and transparency from our politicians. Now, what does that mean? You can't bullshit, and I said that you cannot bullshit if you are a candidate, because they want some, they want accountability and they want transparency. You can't say one thing in one district and go to another district and say something else. And they also believe, and I found this, or Sarah also believed, and I found this very interesting, and I want to answer a question. She believes there's no law. It's no longer about party loyalty but about working for the people. So so if you are one of those candidates that call yourself a America first candidate and you are not answering the questions that your constituents need, and that's all you're talking about is America first, and you're throwing people under the bus and your trash and people, what so, on and so forth, guess what you are going to be one of those that are going to be left out in the code from one of these millennials. You have to be honest, transparent and have accountability of what's going on in government and, number one, understand what's going on in government Now.
Speaker 2:Now here's a tweet from Miguel from Tucson, arizona, and he tweets at the wall black man show independence, independent and voting isn't just a phase, it's called a better choice. Let's not box ourselves in. Couldn't agree more, miguel. Thanks for sharing. Now this is somebody that couldn't agree more, someone who shared his tweet on that. But let me. Let me speak to you. Know what Miguel was talking about now. He believes that independence. Now Miguel believes that you know the independent voting block is going to continue to rise and it's it's not a temporary phase.
Speaker 2:Now here's another one, and now everybody. It's fascinating to see that the dialogue is unfolding and the perspectives are being shared, not just on my platform, but to you know, many listeners that are out there and whether you are an independent, a Democrat or Republican, a libertarian, are just finding your way. You're just now finding your way. Remember that your engagement is what shapes our Republic, what shapes our democracy. All right, everybody, I just shared only two messages that I received.
Speaker 2:Now there's a lot more and we can go through that, but it's basically saying the same thing that I've been saying here on this show and something that I've been saying for a very, very long time about what's really going on In the voting block here in Arizona. And, as I said before, these numbers are coming from the Arizona Secretary of State's office and registered as others. Make up nearly 35% of the state's voting block and again, you don't have to take my word for it. Just go to the website wwwarizonassecretaryofstategov and go under elections or data and you will find the same thing that I am looking at that the numbers marginally surpass the Republicans, who are at 1.4. Now it surpassed him and they are so passing surpassing the Democrats, who are at 1.2 million. Now we need to really really understand the surge of unaffiliate voters and how it's going to affect Arizona.
Speaker 2:However, I will tell you in closing, this trend is reflecting a dissatisfaction with the two party system. Folks are getting tired of the infighting. They're getting tired of the craziness on both sides. They are getting tired of nothing getting done. Example the budget in DC. They are still fighting about the budget in DC, where we may have a government shutdown Everybody.
Speaker 2:We need to pay more attention to this and we need to make sure that we are smart on these things that I am talking about. That means you got to do your own research, everybody and doing your own research means you are being better informed, and when you are better informed, when you are able to make decisions that really talk about what your ideology is or where you stand, or where you stand, you will be a better informed voter. Now, as we close, as we draw this episode to a close, I leave you with this thought everybody, politics isn't just about parties and candidates anymore, particularly here in Arizona. It's about the people of our state, our stories and our hopes and our aspirations as Arizonans. So let's be the change we wish to see here in Arizona, and you start that by tuning in to the wall. Black Mitchell, everybody, have a great day and I look forward to the conversation tomorrow. And remember, as I always say Don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution.
Speaker 1:Browthcom and click on the Walt Blackman Show.
Speaker 3:You.