Democratic Party approval has crashed to historic lows of 27-29% as internal battles erupt over Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to back a Republican budget bill, leaving many longtime supporters questioning the party’s direction and leadership.
Top Takeaways
- Democratic Party favorability has plummeted to 27% (NBC) and 29% (CNN), the lowest ratings in over 30 years of polling.
- Only 63% of Democrats view their own party favorably, down from 81% four years ago.
- A petition to withhold donations until Schumer steps down has gained over 21,000 signatures.
- 57% of Democratic voters want their party to focus on countering Republicans rather than seeking bipartisan cooperation.
- President Trump’s approval rating has reached an all-time high of 47% amid Democratic disarray.
Democratic Support Collapses As Party Infighting Intensifies
Democratic Party favorability has crashed to record lows, with NBC News reporting just 27% approval and CNN showing 29% favorability – the lowest ratings since polling began in the early 1990s. The dramatic decline comes as internal party tensions boil over, particularly regarding Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s recent decision to support a Republican budget proposal that averted a government shutdown. This move has sparked outrage among the Democratic base and progressive lawmakers who expected their leaders to use their leverage against Republican priorities during budget negotiations.
Even more concerning for party leaders, only 63% of self-identified Democrats now hold a favorable view of their own party, a staggering 18-point drop from 81% just four years ago. Meanwhile, 54% of surveyed American adults report an unfavorable opinion of Democrats, with 29% viewing the party favorably. The internal discord has become so pronounced that 52% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents believe their party’s leadership is taking them in the wrong direction.
Schumer Faces Rebellion After “Surrendering” to Republicans
The flashpoint for the current crisis was Schumer’s decision to allow the Republican budget bill to pass without Democratic resistance. This sparked immediate backlash from progressive Democrats who viewed the move as a capitulation. A Change.org petition demanding donors halt contributions to Democrats until Schumer steps down has already gathered more than 21,000 signatures. Adding to the turmoil, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries conspicuously avoided expressing support for Schumer, responding simply “Next question” when asked about the Senate leader’s decision.
Democratic Voters Demand Stronger Opposition to GOP
A fundamental shift has occurred in what Democratic voters want from their leaders. Currently, 57% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents want their party to focus on stopping the Republican agenda, while only 42% prefer cooperation with Republicans. This represents a complete reversal from September 2017, when 74% of Democrats wanted bipartisan cooperation and only 23% favored blocking Republican initiatives. This dramatic shift indicates growing frustration among the Democratic base with leadership’s approach to Republican opposition.
While Democrats struggle with internal divisions, President Trump’s approval rating has reached an all-time high of 47% according to NBC News polling. The Republican Party’s favorability holds steady at 36%, despite an unfavorability rating of 48%. This relative stability stands in stark contrast to the Democratic Party’s free-falling numbers and suggests Republicans are benefiting from Democratic disarray. With fundamental questions about direction and leadership unresolved, Democrats face the difficult task of rebuilding party unity and voter confidence ahead of upcoming electoral battles.
Sources:
- Democrats’ approval ratings sink to historic lows amid infighting: poll
- Democratic Party’s favorability hits record low: Poll
- Trump up, Dems down in new polls
