'They roll right over': Many Democrats call their party weak and ineffective, AP-NORC poll finds

[dalton99a]

https://apnews.com/article/ap-poll-democrats-republican-political-parties-d41141f4a0af53c223620af0fc3fc319

‘They roll right over’: Many Democrats call their party weak and ineffective, AP-NORC poll finds
By STEVE PEOPLES, LINLEY SANDERS and HYOJIN YOO
Updated 6:24 AM CDT, August 3, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many Democrats see their political party as “weak” or “ineffective,” according to a poll that finds considerable pessimism within Democratic ranks. Republicans are more complimentary of their party, although a small but significant share describe the GOP as “greedy” or say it is generally “bad.”

The poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research in July reveals warning signs for both major U.S. parties as the political focus shifts to elections in New Jersey and Virginia this fall and the midterm contests next year.

Respondents were asked to share the first word or phrase that came to mind when they thought of the Republican and Democratic parties. Answers were then sorted into broad categories, including negative and positive attributes. Overall, U.S. adults held a dim view of both parties, with about 4 in 10 using negative attributes, including words such as “dishonest” or “stupid.”

But nearly nine months after Republican Donald Trump won a second presidential term, Democrats appear to be harboring more resentment about the state of their party than do Republicans. Democrats were likelier to describe their own party negatively than Republicans. Republicans were about twice as likely to describe their own party positively.

....

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The disgruntled Democrats are not correct. There have been many excellent letters written with proper footnotes and citations.

[werdna]

1. Yes. Which is why the more progressive members -

- want, and are forming organizations, to support younger more liberal candidates to challenge the status quo-ers.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. Not just progressives

In an interview this week, solid centrist Elyssa Slotkin called the current party leadership “warmed up leftovers” and called for a new generation to lead the party.

[GiqueCee]

4. Ms Slotkin nailed it...

... and for the record, I'm 78.

[werdna]

12. Good to know, thanks!

[GiqueCee]

3. "The disgruntled Democrats are not correct...

... There have been many excellent letters written with proper footnotes and citations." By golly, that'll show 'em!

[Rebl2]

8. Yes all

those sternly worded letters will take republicans down—NOT!

[lostnfound]

5. BS polling questions. Weak and ineffective at WHAT??? Governing, or stopping the savages of the GOP?

Democratic governance was quite effective, halting the crashing economy left by George Bush (2009) and the securing the ‘soft landing’ that economists doubted could happen (2021).

What they are not effective at is halting the marching of the Nazis, because the other side is armed and funded to the teeth and out the wazoo.

Ultimate purpose of the survey is to leave a bad taste in the mouth for democrats while inspiring no clear or deep thinking among readers. Good job, AP, you are serving your corporate purpose.

[GoCubsGo]

6. Thank you!

All this kind of shit does is spur on the back-biting, and I am so fucking sick of that. It gets us nowhere, and solves nothing, other than making some feel better because they can make snarky comments about letters.

[Arazi]

9. You're literally in denial about what the majority of Dems are saying

The reality is that most Dems feel their party isn’t fighting.

Real or not, that’s just how it is.

If the Democratic Party wants support they need to figure out some new ideas/messaging/people etc to demonstrate to the world (and fellow dissatisfied Dems) that they hear the message and are taking action. One reason our sclerotic elites are failing at confronting fascism is because rationalism, incrementalism and proceduralism are completely insufficient weapons to confront an irrational actor that exploits the latter two to in order to do away with all three and we viscerally know it’s happening.



(David Hogg quietly watches from the sidelines)

[lostnfound]

14. I agree with most of that, my point is that the lame article doesn't make that point

To the outsider, the only takeaway is that dems are weak and ineffective.. not ineffective at fighting the fascist GOP. Where’s the survey asking if people consider the GOP a fascist party? Media doesn’t ask that.

The commentary and thinking needs to be much much deeper.

[AZProgressive]

16. Uncommitted was a primary vote

It was a warning that if the Biden administration didn't change on Israel/Palestine they would withhold their votes in the general election. It was telegraphed so everyone saw it coming but Netanyahu is another example where Democrats were weak or ineffective at stopping them. Even some of the Democrats that were elected voted for some of the nominees including future of the Party Elissa Slotkin that voted to confirm Kristy Noem. I don't think that is very effective for standing up to Trump.

[RiverStone]

10. Cory Booker got it right!! See link

Cory Booker’s message to the Democratic Party: Don’t bend the knee to Trump | CNN Politics https://share.google/WMYjMLaLuTdImE7Ck

[maxrandb]

11. This kind of stuff just pisses me off

Democratic politicians can only do as much as what VOTERS GAVE THEM THE FUCKING POWER TO DO!

Right now, there's not a God Damned thing they can do, because the fucking voters didn't give Democrats the political power to do JACKSHIT!!!!

I swear to fucking Gawd! It's like giving Superman a kryptonite necklace, and then bitching, because he didn't stop the speeding freight train.

I suggest these "voters" could accomplish a fuck-ton more, if they smacked their fucking family members, neighbors, coworkers, fellow parishioners and friends that voted for Donnie Dipshit, in the head.

Short of setting themselves on fire, the Dem politicians are fighting.

Maybe a fucking majority of American voters should JOIN IN THE FIGHT!

[Cha]

17. REC.. I Agree! This is just Divisive

Bullshit. I see plenty of Dems Doing whatever the Fuck they can to Fight For Our Democracy.

And, Complaints when they DO.. "..not enough..." Don't even acknowledge what good they do.. just say they should do something Else.

"Maybe a fucking majority of American voters should JOIN IN THE FIGHT!"

Yes, instead of on the sidelines complaining about those who are on the Front Lines.

PS.. I know who isn't but he's the exception.

[creeksneakers2]

13. This misperception will really hurt

Those people who spread it never say what Democrats are supposed to do that they aren't doing. The GOP controls Congress because they have a majority. The control the courts because of crooked appointments to the Supreme Court. Public opinion is hard to change because their followers are brainwashed. There is very little that can be done. The Democrats are doing their best with what they have.

The sad thing it that folks who believe the lie about Democrats end up not voting. If they voted we would have a much better chance of stopping Trump.

[Cha]

18. REC.. TY, I Agree with you Too!

[BannonsLiver]

15. That's what I'll be looking for from a 2028 nominee

Someone who ruthlessly takes the fight to them and who is unafraid of what people think about that. Bonus points to the first candidate with the guts to call Trump what he is -- a pedophile.