Partisanship and Political Animosity in 2016

The 2016 presidential campaign has highlighted the deep partisan divisions in the United States. A new Pew Research Center report finds that Republicans and Democrats now have more negative views of the opposing party than at any point in nearly a quarter century. These sentiments are not just limited to views of the parties and their policy proposals; they have a personal element as well.

• Many Democrats and Republicans associate negative characteristics with members of the other party – and positive traits with their own.
• In choosing a party, disliking the policies of opponents is almost as powerful a reason as liking the policies of one’s own party.
• Political conversations highlight differences, but most think it’s still possible to agree on nonpolitical topics.
• Partisans on both sides give “cold” ratings for members of the opposing party, “colder” ratings to that party’s 2016 candidate.
• Having cross-party friendships is associated with how coldly partisans see the other party.
• For the first time in surveys dating to 1992, majorities in both parties express not just unfavorable but very unfavorable views of the other party.