2016 Presidential Race: Republican Party Hits 6-Year Low in Favorability Ratings
While Donald Trump has taken the lead among the Republican candidates running in the 2016 presidential election, the Party, on the other hand, has suffered immensely.
A new Pew Research Center poll found that the favorability rating of the Republican Party has taken a drastic plunge, dropping down to its lowest point in six years.
Just six months ago, both Republicans and Democrats received a 41 percent favorability rating. However, now the GOP is down to 32 percent, while the Democratic Party has jumped to 48 percent.
"The Republican Party's image has grown more negative over the first half of this year. Currently, 32 percent have a favorable impression of the Republican Party, while 60 percent have an unfavorable view. Favorable views of the GOP have fallen nine percentage points since January. The Democratic Party continues to have mixed ratings (48 percent favorable, 47 percent unfavorable)," said Pew in a new study that was published on Thursday.
In addition to its sudden plunge among Independent and Democratic voters, the GOP has also suffered a big dip in ratings among members in its own Party.
"The survey, conducted July 14-20 among 2,002 adults, finds Republicans, in particular, are now more critical of their own party than they were a few months ago. About two-thirds (68 percent) express a favorable opinion of their party, the lowest share in more than two years. Six months ago, 86 percent of Republicans viewed the GOP positively," said Pew.
Meanwhile, Pew reports that the Democratic Party has maintained a steady rating since the beginning of the year, and has even increased a little bit. In January, 46 percent of Pew respondents had a favorable view of the Party, whereas in the new poll, that number has grown to 48 percent. Plus, those who viewed the Party unfavorably dropped from 48 percent to 47 percent.
Furthermore, Democrats have a substantial advantage over Republicans among voters when it comes to issues relating to the environment, reproductive rights, education, and health care. Republicans, however, have taken the lead when it comes to guns and terrorism.
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