Independents are not political clones like republiclones / democlones, and they dont have $100M war chests. I'd rather see a feisty grandma who has lived in the real world in office than a party team member who sells you out for the "party".
Anyone remember that idea of " a government of the people, by the people, for the people?, granny is "people", clones are party hacks who have demonstrated repeatedly they're crooks, liars and criminals.
But hey, feel free to send yet another party hack to office to walk in lock step with the other robots. When next Foley, Hastert or Reid scandal hits, or the next clone goes to jail, you can be proud to have sent yet another party enabler to office.