Prince Ikari
Well for starters they would have to actually have a shot at victory for me to consider them. I heavily study the polls and and they would have to be polling strong to reassure me that my vote for that candidate would not be a waste. But an independent would also need to share my beliefs and values. That would mean being strongly pro-American and supporting economic and socially conservative policies. All of that is essential for a candidate on the state or federal level. On the local level, I am less ideological, and will definitely look into independent candidacies if no members of my party are on the ballot. But I am pretty set on my party and I could never vote against them if one is on the ballot, especially if it would mean letting the opposition win. My dislike of the opposition is too great to allow them into elected office. The intense polarization that has brought Washington to a bitter standstill has not just affected the politicians of the opposing sides. In the last four years I have become even more conservative, and even more of a harsher critic of liberals to where making sure they lose is key in my vote. Independents (and moderates) will never have a decent shot until this political polarization cools down some.
Which came first - the chicken or the egg?
The only way for an independent to have a shot at victory for you to give them one. The way to ensure that an independent does NOT have a chance is for everybody to just sit around and wait until they have a chance. . .
And the only way to get more moderates into Congress is to get more moderate Americans to vote.
Obama promised the impossible - he promised a "trickle-down" method of changing Washington, yet the only true way is from the bottom up, through the American people.