No Compromise

Many may see Washington as broken and divisive, but most of the public is not looking for politicians who are willing to work together. A 49%-plurality of Americans most admire political leaders who stick to their positions without compromising. Just 42% admire political leaders who make compromises with people they disagree with. Democrats (54%) are far more likely than Republicans (33%) to most admire political leaders willing to compromise; fully 62% of Republicans want leaders who will stick to their positions. Those who identify with the Tea Party movement are even more anti-compromise. Among Tea Party supporters, 71% say they most admire politicians who stick to their positions without compromising. Political independents roughly mirror the public as a whole; a 53%-majority prefers leaders who stick to their positions while 40% admire leaders willing to compromise with the other side. Read More