The Democratic Party's approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows, according to two polls released on Sunday. Following a challenging 2024 election where the party lost control of both the White House and Senate, internal conflicts have intensified among Democrats. As Congress scrambled to avert a government shutdown last week, frustration and discord emerged within the party, further impacting its standing with voters.
The NBC News poll revealed that only 27% of registered voters have a favorable view of the Democratic Party, marking the lowest favorability rating in NBC's polling history dating back to 1990. Furthermore, just 7% of respondents expressed a "very positive" view of the party. Meanwhile, a CNN poll echoed these sentiments, showing that only 29% of voters view Democrats positively, a low not seen since 1992. The NBC poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters in the U.S. from March 7-11, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. The CNN poll surveyed 1,206 adults from March 6-9, with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points.
In the face of these declining numbers, intra-party disagreements have become more pronounced. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his intent to vote "yes" on a critical measure, drawing significant criticism from fellow Democrats. Some lawmakers within the party are urging unity and adherence to core principles. According to the NBC poll, 65% of self-identified Democratic voters prefer their party to "stick to their positions even if this means not getting things done in Washington."
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., acknowledged the difficult position some colleagues faced in trying to avoid a government shutdown. Meanwhile, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., emphasized the need for unity within the party.
"We're in a fight for our democracy right now, and if we're having a fight in our dugout, we're not out on the field and the other team is scoring runs," Whitehouse stated.
Amidst these challenges, there remains a call for compromise from some quarters. The NBC poll also found that 32% of registered voters want Democrats to "make compromises with President Trump to gain consensus on legislation." This sentiment highlights the divide within the party regarding strategy and policy direction.
The recent election losses have further exacerbated tensions within the Democratic ranks. As lawmakers grapple with legislative priorities and party unity, the pressure mounts to find common ground and restore voter confidence.
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