The Democratic Party is facing a historic collapse in public perception, with a new CNN poll showing its favorability rating at an all-time low. As President Joe Biden struggles to rally his base and independents grow increasingly disenchanted, Democrats find themselves in a precarious position heading into the 2024 election.
Among the American public overall, the Democratic Party’s favorability rating stands at just 29% – a record low in CNN’s polling dating back to 1992 and a drop of 20 points since January 2021, when Trump exited his first term under the shadow of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The Republican Party’s rating currently stands at 36%.
The numbers paint a dire picture for Democrats, whose standing with the public has plummeted over the last three years. While still trying to capitalize on public outrage following the Capitol riot, the party has instead seen its brand erode to unprecedented depths. While the GOP’s rating is hardly stellar, Republicans are at least faring better than their Democratic counterparts—despite their own struggles with internal divisions and controversies.
Even within their own ranks, Democratic voters are showing signs of waning enthusiasm.
Just 63% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents report a favorable view of their own party, a dip from 72% in January and 81% at the start of President Joe Biden’s administration.
This downward trajectory suggests serious morale and messaging issues within the Democratic coalition as Donald Trump continues to browbeat and outmaneuver Democrats at every turn. In contrast, Republican voters remain more loyal to their party.
By contrast, 79% of Republicans and Republican leaners currently take a positive view of the GOP.
The polling also underscores the outright rejection of both major parties by independents, a crucial voting bloc.
Political independents as a group take dim views of both parties, with 19% rating the Democrats favorably and 20% saying the same of the Republicans.
Perceptions of extremism are further fueling the public’s disenchantment.
Political independents remain likelier to see the Republicans as out of the mainstream – 57% call the GOP too extreme, while 48% say the same of the Democrats. But 16% of Democrats call their own party too extreme, while just 9% of Republicans say the same of the GOP.
While both parties struggle with perceptions of radicalism, Republicans face a greater challenge among independents. However, Democrats have their own branding issue, as nearly one in six of their own voters believe their party has moved too far left.
With approval ratings at historic lows and growing concerns over party extremism, both Democrats and Republicans face an uphill battle to convince the electorate that they remain the best option for governing. But for Biden and his party, the polling signals a particularly steep climb—one that could define next year’s midterm and control of Congress.
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