Why has Romney Lost the Independent Vote?

Though all this could still be subject to change this close to an election here are the reasons I believe this is presently true.

First, the Hurricane that hit New Orleans which was the Tropical Storm that was also headed to the Republican Convention took away so much air time on most stations that many less people actually got to see any of the convention. Second, all the city, county, and State public officials that were Republican could not go to the convention if they were in parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and especially Louisiana.

Third, Romney really made a mess in England and Israel during the Olympics of offending some our allies like England and he also offended the Palestinians and several other groups. Since then he has offended China who has already threatened a Trade War because of what he has already said as a candidate. So, independents generally see Romney as a complete nightmare in regard to foreign policy. This is his very weakest quality as a candidate (so far) in his lack  political tact and understanding of foreign affairs in regard to being a potential president. I think people who have been very cloistered in their religion like Romney has often have this problem when dealing with outsiders or (people who are not of their religion). This is very common of very religious people around the world so actually this is pretty normal to not be able to deal with people very well or effectively outside your own religion.

Fourth, I think that there haven't been enough specifics in either of both Romney's and Ryan's speeches. They often sound like something out of the 1950s (the era of black and white tvs) when Republicans really pandered to most people's ignorance about everything. But now, most people not only have high school diplomas, many actually have one or more college degrees and are critical thinkers in the extreme after learning logical systems of deduction in college. So, being talked down to like you are some sort of ignoramus is sort of insulting and a form of pandering these days. Whereas in the 1950s it was normal because so many of both parties hadn't even graduated high school  then.

Since independents tend to be critical thinkers who vote out of what they think is best for their country in the short and long run rather than through anything to do with party loyalty, Romney's more elite attitude and talking down to people like they are stupid is offensive to the average independent.

However, this being said almost anything can happen (and likely will) given what has happened the last week since 9-11 throughout northern Africa and through out the middle east. What a nightmare for the whole world to deal with! In some ways this is a worse problem than 9-11 to deal with. 9-11 was blatant but this is far more dangerous and subtle and being manipulated by Al-Qaida and Al Qaida like groups throughout the middle east. It is almost as if they got some PHD's in psychology to think up ways to piss off the uneducated Muslim masses to freak out more and more. And if so this is far more problematic than 9-11 ever was or could be.