these midterms election where is the president is not on the ballot, but they're trying to make it all about him. so these kinds of numbers, plus the approval rating is troubling for democrats, t.j. >> we know independents went for barack obama back in 2008. he's not on the ballot now. but still where are they going now? and what are they concerned about? >> reporter: independents are now going for the republicans. we asked in a generic ballot. among all voters, republicans have a seven-point advantage. if you break it down among the crucial independent voters, it's about a two to one swing. what's their top issue? it's the economy. they're not happy with the way the economy is right now, t.j. >> paul stein steinhauser.