Fifty-four percent of Americans want their political leaders to compromise to get things done, according to a recent Gallup poll. That compares to just 18% who say they want their leaders to stick to their beliefs, even if it means having little to show for it. This is the widest gap between those favoring compromise over those preferring a strict adherence to beliefs since Gallup began asking this question in 2010.
Nearly half of Republicans and a majority of Democrats favor getting things done. Forty-four percent of Republicans/Republican leaners say they want their leaders to compromise, compared to 23% who say it is more important to stick to their beliefs and 33% who do not have an opinion. Sixty-two percent of Democrats/Democratic leaners say they believe it is more important for leaders to compromise, compared to just 12% who want their leaders to stick to their beliefs and 24% who are neutral.
Washington’s failure to get things done over the last year may be the driving force behind these numbers, though the result should not be interpreted as voters encouraging their elected officials to abandon their principles. As Gallup notes, President Donald Trump has said he will reach across the aisle to get major parts of his agenda passed, but a handful of Congressional Republicans could threaten to derail things like a budget resolution and tax reform. These lawmakers should listen to the President and their constituents and work with colleagues to deliver on major promises to the American people, starting with the 2018 budget vote Thursday.
