to realize why independents are "bolting" from the Democrats

After New Jersey and Virginia elected Republicans for governors a few weeks ago, the Administration and Democrats tried to spin those races as being determined by local issues, not national party issues.  Although Obama did campaign for Corzine and said Corzine was "one of the best partners I have in the White House," and that they "work together" (on what exactly I could only imagine), it's more likely that local issues decided New Jersey and Virginia was more of a litmus test for national politics.

Maybe that helped Democrats rationalize the political atmosphere a few weeks ago, but now Democrat officials are starting to get alarmed about independents bolting from them.  The Politico article goes on to quote officials in several states theorizing the reasons behind it, with some citing a faltering economy, some citing spending, and some simply burying their head in the sand and refusing to see a real problem.

But it doesn't take a wonk to understand the public's underlying problems with the Democrats right now.