Lack of Optimism
A new poll was conducted earlier this month by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. And while the headlines were not positive for Democrats…there was not much to cheer about from Republican circles, either.
Only one-third of Democrats surveyed nationally were “very optimistic” or even “somewhat optimistic” about their party’s future. That number was nearly double—60 percent—just last July…and that was following Joe Biden’s poor debate performance that drove him from the race.
And only one-third of all voters surveyed had a positive view of the Democrat Party today.
But before those on the other side of the aisle get excited, that same poll showed that only 4 out of 10 U.S. adults have a favorable view of the Republican Party. Sure, better than Democrats, but not by that much and still a minority.
A majority of GOP voters are optimistic about their party…not surprising given last November’s election outcomes. But again, the needle is not moving much. While 47 percent of Republicans were “very optimistic” or “somewhat optimistic” about their party’s future last summer, an uptick to 55 percent now. Yes, a majority of Republicans, but hardly a ringing endorsement six months post-election.
As for the state of American politics generally, 3 of 10 Republicans are optimistic—up from only 1 of 10 last summer.
So the voters are not optimistic on the whole…yet nothing those we elect do seems to change.
