The June CNN poll had mixed findings for both parties. While there are major doubts on each party’s effectiveness, more Americans view the Republican Party as the party of change and the party with strong leaders.
By The Numbers:
Eighty-one percent of Americans believe there are important differences between Republicans and Democrats, an increase of almost twenty points from 2015. Only 18% of Americans say the two parties are pretty much the same. Of those who see differences, 20% say neither party shares their values on key issues.
Forty-percent of Americans say the Republican Party is the party with strong leaders, while just 16% say the same about the Democrat Party. Forty-three percent say neither party is a party of strong leaders.
Thirty-two percent of Americans say the Republican Party is the party of change, while 25% say the same about the Democrat Party. Forty-two percent say neither party is the party of change.
The Bottom Line: Almost half of Americans believe neither party is a party of change or of strong leaders. Even though Republicans have an advantage on these measurers, they must persuade those voters who are agnostic about both parties right now (or worse, disassociating from the parties) that the GOP is the party of strength and meaningful change. Going into the Midterm Elections with stronger footing on each trait will help candidates running under the GOP banner everywhere.
