With the Midterms about six months away, a new Pew Research poll found neither political party has an advantage, as Americans view both parties unfavorably. These numbers suggest that partisanship will continue to grow, as both parties view their own party favorably.
By The Numbers:
Fifty-eight percent of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party. Forty percent have a favorable view.
Fifty-nine percent of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of the Democrat Party. Thirty-nine percent have a favorable view.
Eighty-four percent of Democratic identifiers rate their party favorably, up from 77% last August. Fifty-two percent of Democrat-leaners rate their party favorably, up from 44% last summer. Eighty-nine percent of Republican identifiers and 54% of Republican-leaners rate their party favorably.
The Bottom Line: Our politics has grown increasingly partisan, especially during the latest redistricting battles across the country. As both parties rally their base and see their opponents as adversaries, campaigns will become more and more targeted to the base, possibly leaving a wide swatch of independent voters without a home.
