Today's TweetChat was a major success! We got to hear from independent voters, organizations, and candidates on the role of independents in the 2012 election. We had a lively discussion with contributions from Independent presidential candidate Buddy Roemer, the California Moderate Party, and GOP Communications Strategist Micah Grant. For a recap, here are 5 questions we asked with selected answers from some of the participants:

1. The number of independent voters is on the rise. How significant will their influence be in the 2012 election?

Independent aka "swing" voters always determine winner of the presidency. Congress may be a different story. #4yourself— CA Moderate Party (@CAModOrg) March 15, 2012

Independent voters will be instrumental in returning Washington to fiscal responsibility in November. #4yourself— Ol_Roy (@Ol_Roy) March 15, 2012

@IVNetwork I think people are starting to realize that there an option besides #GOP #DEMS, & 2012 will be a big year for indes #4yourself— IndeCan (@VoteIndeCan) March 15, 2012

2. What about the Hispanic vote? Why is the GOP ignoring immigration reform?

@IVNetwork Immigration reform is important, but the number one issue for Latinos (like everyone else) is the economy.#4yourself— Micah Alexi Grant (@alexigrant) March 15, 2012

Because immigration reform won't win either the party the election. #4yourself— georgemanty (@georgemanty) March 15, 2012

3. Why are there so many independents, but no one is voting for independent candidates?

@VoteIndeCan @lucy_ma @latimes @IVNetwork Hard for I's to take collective action w/o organization + brand identity. #4yourself— CA Moderate Party (@CAModOrg) March 15, 2012

IVNetwork- We need a viable third party that is in the middle. People are scared they are wasting their vote. #4yourself— georgemanty (@georgemanty) March 15, 2012

@IVNetwork Because most States discriminate against third parties and independent voters in primaries. It's outrageous. agreater.us/billpage.php?i…— The GREATER Platform (@jmdenn) March 15, 2012

@KRBays @IVNetwork word has it Indep don't like wasting votes! Maybe if one of their own chalks up a 2012 win- tide will turn #4yourself— Lucy Ma (@lucy_ma) March 15, 2012

4. Question to Buddy Roemer: What's been the most frustrating part of running as an Independent candidate?

@IVNetwork My frustration comes from the control money has in this race.Money = a voice. And it should not be that way. #4yourself— Gov. Buddy Roemer (@BuddyRoemer) March 15, 2012

@IVNetwork I have a fantastic social network of supporters that help get my message out. It's free, and it's been invaluable. #4yourself— Gov. Buddy Roemer (@BuddyRoemer) March 15, 2012

5. Pew survey shows Independents further removed from political process than Reps. and Dems. Why is this? And how could candidates best appeal to Independent voters?

@IVNetwork no one is talking to us #4yourself— Whitney Benjamin(@WhitBenj) March 15, 2012

@IVNetwork They just gotta keep it real! No, seriously, way too many poll-driven talking points these days. Hoping 2 change that. #4yourself— CA Moderate Party (@CAModOrg) March 15, 2012

 A big thank you to everyone who joined! We're excited to continue the open dialogue in our next TweetChat!