In the context of U.S. politics, which term represents individuals who do not strongly identify with either of the major parties?

The term that represents individuals who do not strongly identify with either of the major parties is "independent leaners." This group consists of voters who may not align fully with the ideologies or platforms of the Democratic or Republican parties but may still lean toward one of them in terms of their voting preferences. Independent leaners often engage in politics without a steadfast allegiance to a party, allowing them to evaluate candidates and policies based on their merits rather than party affiliation.

The concept is critical as independent leaners can significantly influence elections, especially in closely contested races, as their votes can tip the balance in favor of one party or the other. Unlike strong partisans, who have a deep commitment to their party, or moderates, who may hold centrist views but might still identify more closely with one of the major parties, independent leaners maintain a more fluid and flexible approach to their political affiliations. Partisan detractors also do not align strongly with either party, but the emphasis of this term is often on criticism of the parties rather than a neutral or flexible stance toward them.