Democrats in the U.S. are recording their lowest approval rating in 35 years, and a majority of voters believe that Republicans handle most key issues influencing electoral preferences more effectively. The Wall Street Journal notes that the Democratic Party has yet to take even the first step toward presenting a positive agenda.
A WSJ poll found that 63 percent of voters hold an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party — the highest share in the journal’s surveys since 1990. Only 33 percent of respondents expressed a favorable view of the Democrats.
Just 8 percent of voters view the Democrats “very positively,” compared to 19 percent who feel the same way about the Republican Party.
“Democrats are hoping that voter opposition to President (Donald Trump) will be strong enough for them to regain the majority in the House of Representatives in next year’s midterm elections — similar to what happened during Trump’s first term,”
the newspaper observed. However, the survey shows — the paper added — that the party has yet to take the essential first step in achieving that goal: convincing voters that it can govern the country better than Trump.
WSJ recalled that during a comparable period in 2017 — in Trump’s first term — more voters identified as Democrats than Republicans. Currently, more voters identify as Republicans, marking a significant shift in the electorate and a rarity in American politics. Last year, Republicans established their first lasting lead in voter preference in over three decades — and they continue to maintain that advantage.
“Voters disapprove of the way the president is handling the economy, inflation, tariffs, and foreign policy, yet, on each of these issues, they still trust Republicans more than Democrats,”
the newspaper noted. The only two out of ten surveyed issues where voters favor Democrats in Congress are healthcare and vaccination policy, it added.
“It’s still too early to predict how (citizens will behave during) next fall’s congressional elections. However, the poll and other data provide crucial insights that will guide both parties as they invest billions of dollars in their campaigns,” WSJ concluded.