US Democrat ratings drop to all-time low – CNN poll
The Democratic Party’s favorability rating among the American public has hit a record low, a new CNN poll suggests.
The poll, commissioned by the broadcaster, was conducted by SSRS from March 6 to 9, sampling the opinions of 1,206 respondents. It suggested that the approval rating of the party stands at just 29% – a record low in regular CNN polling carried out since 1992. The Republican Party fared better, with a 36% rating, according to the poll.
Partisan approval differed for the two parties as well, with just 63% of Democrats and Democratic-leaners speaking favorably of their party, while 79% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents approve of the GOP. Independents, however, do not regard either of the parties highly, with favorability hovering around 20%.
The Democrats have also struggled to consolidate around a leader that “best reflects the core values,” of the party, according to the poll. New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez topped the list at 10% among Democratic-aligned respondents.
Former VP and Democratic presidential runner Kamala Harris received 9%, followed by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at 8%. Only 1% picked former President Joe Biden, while over 30% did not pick anyone.
The poll also suggested that Democratic-aligned Americans have taken an increasingly combative approach towards the Republicans, with 57% saying Democrats should focus on stopping the GOP agenda rather than advancing their own ideas. Only 42% said Democrats should work with their GOP counterparts.
The figures constitute a drastic shift in sentiment compared to the first tenure of President Donald Trump. According to a CNN poll conducted in September 2017, 74% of Democratic respondents said the party should work with with the Republicans, while only 23% said it should focus on disrupting their agenda.
