Topics At A Glance: Political Parties

Job Ratings of Congressional Republicans and Democrats

Full search results

(Next, we'd like you to rate the job elected officials in Washington have done this year (2011). Please say whether you think each of the following has done an excellent, good, fair or poor job this year.) How about...the Democrats in Congress?

Gallup/USA Today Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Now let me read you some statements that some people have made about Democrats in Congress. After I read each statement, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your mind about Democrats in Congress....The Democrats' deficit reduction plan actually raises taxes on job creators. It increases the already high corporate tax rate, raises the top individual tax rate, and is sure to create a stranglehold on the economy. We can debate about how to fix the deficit, but raising taxes during a recession is not the right place to start.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices.Women Vote Poll, [Dec, 2011]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Economy

Full search results

I am going to read an issue and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with that issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we'll move on....The economy

%
25		Democrats much better
14		Democrats somewhat better
16		Republicans somewhat better
32		Republicans much better
1		Both (Vol.)
4		Neither (Vol.)
9		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters
Democracy Corps Poll, [Aug, 2012]

Overall, which party, the Democratic or the Republican, does a better job representing your views on...the economy?

Note: Asked of Independents (34%)
Kaiser/Washington Post Dimensions of Partisanship Survey, [Jul, 2012]

Now I am going to read a list of issues and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with this issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we will move on to the next item....The economy...(If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Much better or somewhat better?)

%
23		Democrats much better
18		Democrats somewhat better
15		Republicans somewhat better
29		Republicans much better
1		Both (Vol.)
5		Neither (Vol.)
9		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters in Republican districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Jul, 2012]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Foreign Policy

Full search results

Overall, which party, the Democratic or the Republican, does a better job representing your views on...foreign policy?

Note: Asked of Independents (34%)
Kaiser/Washington Post Dimensions of Partisanship Survey, [Jul, 2012]

(Please tell me if you think the Republican Party or the Democratic Party could do a better job in each of the following areas.) Which party could do a better job of...making wise decisions about foreign policy?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Mar, 2011]

(Next, please tell me if you think the Democratic Party or the Republican Party could do a better job in each of the following areas) Which party could do a better job of...making wise decisions about foreign policy?

Ipsos-Public Affairs/Reuters Poll, [Dec, 2010]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Environment

Full search results

Now let me read you some statements that some people have made about Democrats in Congress. After I read each statement, please tell me whether this raises very serious doubts, serious doubts, minor doubts, or no real doubts in your own mind about Democrats in Congress....Democrats' excessive regulations and red tape are causing uncertainty for families and small businesses at the worst time. The President's (Barack Obama's) health care bill and burdensome regulations on small businesses are costing our country money and jobs when we need to be creating a better environment for private sector job growth.

Sample: National likely voters in 60 most competitive Republican battleground districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Sep, 2011]

When it comes to...protecting the environment which party do you think would do a better job--the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, or both about the same? If you think that neither would do a good job, please just say so.

Note: Asked of Form B half sample
NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Mar, 2011]

(Next, please tell me if you think the Democratic Party or the Republican Party could do a better job in each of the following areas) Which party could do a better job of...protecting the environment?

Ipsos-Public Affairs/Reuters Poll, [Dec, 2010]

Which Party Is Better At Handling: Taxes

Full search results

Overall, which party, the Democratic or the Republican, does a better job representing your views on...taxes?

Note: Asked of Independents (34%)
Kaiser/Washington Post Dimensions of Partisanship Survey, [Jul, 2012]

(Now I am going to read a list of issues and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with this issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we will move on to the next item.)...Taxes...(If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Much better or somewhat better?)

%
25		Democrats much better
18		Democrats somewhat better
17		Republicans somewhat better
28		Republicans much better
*		Both (Vol.)
5		Neither (Vol.)
7		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters in Republican districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Jul, 2012]

(Now I am going to re-read a list of issues and I want you to tell me whether, overall, you think the Democrats or the Republicans would do a better job with this issue. If you do not know, just tell me and we will move on to the next item.)...Taxes...(If Democrats/Republicans better, ask:) (Is that much or somewhat better?)

%
26		Democrats much better
19		Democrats somewhat better
18		Republicans somewhat better
28		Republicans much better
*		Both (Vol.)
3		Neither (Vol.)
6		Don't know/Refused

Sample: National likely voters in Republican districts
Democracy Corps Poll, [Jul, 2012]

General Opinion of Republican Party and Democratic Party

Full search results

In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Sep, 2012]

In general, is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Sep, 2012]

In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?

CBS News Poll, [Aug, 2012]

Opinion About the Formation of a Third Political Party

Full search results

Generally speaking, do you find your political views are represented by the current American political system?...Yes, mainly by the Democratic Party, yes, mainly by the Republican Party, yes, mainly by a third party, no, I don't find my views well represented

Sample: National likely voters
Washington Times/JZ Analytics Poll, [May, 2012]

Some people say the country needs a third political party in addition to the Democratic and Republican parties, others say it's unnecessary. Do you think this country needs a third party or not? (If Yes/No, ask:) Do you feel that way strongly or somewhat?

ABC News/Washington Post Poll, [Jan, 2012]

Which of the following statements is closest to your own view of the two-party system today, in terms of how well it defines issues and provides choices for voters?...The two-party system works fairly well. The two-party system has real problems, but with some improvements it can still work well. The two-party system is seriously broken, and the country needs a third party.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll, [Dec, 2011]

From the Archives

(Next, please tell me if you think the Republican Party or the Democratic party could do a better job in each of the following areas.) Which party could do a better job of...improving the education system?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew News Interest Index Poll, [Feb, 2006]

From what you have seen and heard, do most Republicans in Congress support, or do most oppose (George W.) Bush's plan to increase the number of troops in Iraq?

Note: Asked of Form 2 half sample
Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Political Survey, [Feb, 2007]

Which political party--the Republicans or the Democrats--do you trust more to deal with the problems facing Medicare?

Kaiser/Harvard Medicare Policy Options Survey, [Aug, 1998]