In 1996, Patrick J. Buchanan managed to push their buttons with his protectionist trade policy and fiscal conservatism. By snatching the independent vote late in the game, Buchanan edged out Bob Dole and Lamar Alexander to win the primary in the final days. George W. Bush is trying to broaden his support outside mainstream Republicans by taking issue with votes by the GOP Congress. Gore is picking up on some of Bradley's rhetoric, talking about running ''a different kind of campaign,'' and challenging Bradley to debates, as if Bradley were the front-running, establishment candidate. What's great about the New Hampshire primary is the state is two congressional districts - we can talk to everybody, so you get to make an appeal to everybody,'' said Mark Longabaugh, Bradley's New Hampshire director.
Independents are independent because they're independent.