Liberals make up the largest share of Democratic voters, but their growth has slowed in recent years
About half of Democratic and Democratic-leaning registered voters describe their own political views as liberal.
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Partisanship remains the strongest factor dividing the American public. Yet there are substantial divisions within both parties on fundamental political values, views of current issues and the severity of the problems facing the nation.
Division and animosity between the two political parties in the U.S. has deepened. Most partisans view the other side as ‘closed-minded’; Republicans see Democrats as ‘unpatriotic.’
A majority of Democratic voters who prefer one of the presidential candidates are excited about several candidates vying for the party’s nomination. Far fewer are enthused only by their first choice.
Republicans who did not agree with the tea party during Obama era were somewhat less likely to remain affiliated with GOP years later. Republicans who had positive views of the tea party movement in 2014 or 2015 were among Trump’s most enthusiastic backers during the 2016 campaign.
Most independents are not all that “independent” politically. And the small share of Americans who are truly independent stand out for their low level of interest in politics.
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