As the era of resistance consumes Democrats nationwide, the Republican Party now has its best views among the public in almost a decade. In a recent Gallup poll it was found that 45 percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Republican Party, a nine point gain from last September’s 36 percent. The gain means the party now has its most favorable image since January 2011 when they garnered a 47 percent favorability rating shortly after taking control of the House of Representatives in the 2010 midterm elections.
The poll also found that 44 percent of Americans give the Democratic Party a favorable rating, showing a metric that is seemingly contrary to what is reported in the news.
Self-described Republicans are also now more likely to view their party favorably, leading to an overall increase from 67 percent in September 2017 to 85 percent in 2018, while including independents who lean towards the party.
Republican Party favorability has ticked up five percentage points with women – 40 percent – and 13 percentage points with men – 50 percent since September 2017. The poll shows the Democratic Party favorability has ticked down one percentage point to 48 percentage points among women and has remained relatively the same with men – 41 percent.
In the income bracket of $30,000 to $74,999, Republican Party favorability is now at 49 percent, up from 36 the year prior.
While Republicans have become significantly more positive about their party over the past year, Democrats’ views of the Republican Party and their own Democratic Party have essentially not changed, according to Gallup.
With less than six weeks to go until the November 6 midterm elections, favorability gains are a welcome sign for Republicans as Democrats are touting confidence with taking back both the House and Senate. No matter how much or how little party favorability affects elections, the fact that Republicans are more likely to view their party favorably than one year ago can be considered a very positive indicator for the party, particularly if a more positive image boosts Republican turnout at the ballot box.