Thursday, January 22, 2026

Party Identification Now Favors the Democrats by 8 Points

Pollsters often ask respondents which party they favor. Some people claim to be independents, but most of them lean one way or the other. During the first year of Trump v1.0, the percentage of Americans calling themselves "Republicans" or "Republican-leaning" dropped slightly, from 42% to 40%.

Posted by A_Friend at 02:30 PM | 39 COMMENTS | permalink

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Recapping the week in polls: Identification with the Republican Party approaches a new low since 2008, and a majority of Americans say Trump has the wrong priorities and does not care about people like them. www.gelliottmorris.com/p/americans- ...

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-- G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com) Jan 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Comments

snip ...

In Trump v2.0 though, the Republican Party is shedding members and supporters at a much faster clip than the first time around. This time, it has dropped 6 points in the first year, triple the dropoff last time. Similarly, more people are identifying as Democrats now than a year ago. A year ago, 43% of the country identified as Democrats. Now it is 48%. In Q1 2025, the parties were tied at 45% apiece. Now the Democrats have an 8-point lead

#1 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-19 08:27 PM

snip ...

A lead of 8 points is high for recent times. This is the largest lead either party has had since 2009.

#2 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-19 08:28 PM

Evil Incompetence is no way to run a country, Trumpers.

Lets see if Dems can do something with this lead.

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-19 08:56 PM

The more Donny Doll Hands lets his dementia and hate fuel his actions the more people will flee the Guardians of Pedophile party.

#4 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-01-20 07:14 AM

Evil Incompetence is no way to run a country, Trumpers.
Lets see if Dems can do something with this lead.
#3 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-19 08:56 PM

Yeah, they will vote to fund DHS and ICE.

Corporate Democrats are essentially just more Republicans.

Schumer stated his coalition is "very, very, very worried" - with good reason.

#5 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-20 01:44 PM

US Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY): "My job is to keep the Left pro-Israel."

x.com

So, that's your job, huh, Senator Schumer?

A fat lot of good that did you and Andrew Cuomo in NYC, home to the most Jews outside of Israel.

This current eight-point advantage Democrats have might just dissipate thanks to the warmongers.

So, let's see what's going to happen on Election Day Tuesday 3 Nov 2026 after Bibi finally has his three-pronged war against the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran.

deepnewz.com

#6 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-01-20 02:35 PM

Doesn't matter.

Voters must make this happen, which in 2026 means getting to the polls and not relying on mail-in ballots. Voters should cast their ballots the earliest possible opportunity, so as to not get barred by MAGA kooks, ICE agitators or the 101st Airborne. That it if Americans are allowed to vote this November.

Funny how here in Ohio early voting is a real thing, with early in-person voting starting October 6. In Okiehomie, early voting is limited to three days the week before the November election. Last November the wife and I stood in line for four hours to vote early, finishing just before a thunderstorm blew in...

#7 | Posted by catdog at 2026-01-22 03:59 PM

@#1 ... Now the Democrats have an 8-point lead ...

I was nt surprised when I saw polling that indicated Independents moving away from Republicans.

But this result about the 8-point lead is interesting

Still, election day is still a while away. ...

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 04:14 PM

Voters must make this happen, which in 2026 means getting to the polls and not relying on mail-in ballots.

I agree with all that except:

In California mail-in ballots are easy safe and reliable.

I get a notice when my ballot is received and another notice when my ballot is counted.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-22 04:17 PM

Don't check those Pennsylvania and North Carolina voter registration numbers. You won't like what you find.

#10 | Posted by THEBULL at 2026-01-22 04:27 PM

POSTED BY THEBULL

You just waking from your drunken stupor?

Trolls much better than you are already hard at work, go back to your bud light and meth.

#11 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-22 04:31 PM

You won't like what you find.

#10 | POSTED BY THEBULL

Did Trumpy find those 11,780 "missing votes" yet?

#12 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-22 04:35 PM

Voters must make this happen...

#9 | Posted by donnerboy
_____________________________________

There are three long years yet before that occurs, if it occurs. In my mind the first step will be the Insurrection put into effect. Which will jar the country enough for mass protests across the nation. That in turn will bring out martial law which will likely be in effect come time to vote. Demanding citizens stay home will probably be the next step, meaning no vote will take place.

Despite all his buffoonery, he can read the tea leaves and already there are a few in his administration as well as party telling him things aren't looking so good. He has already acknowledged should congress change hands he knows impeachment efforts will come again. In an effort to prevent the already low opinions that some voters have going lower, he has petitioned the court not to release the Jack Smith report and to keep it sealed, not to mention you'll notice the Epstein files are no where to be seen, despite a law already broken, requiring their release. It is not by accident these events are happening.

#13 | Posted by BBQ at 2026-01-22 04:52 PM

@#7 ... Voters must make this happen, which in 2026 means getting to the polls and not relying on mail-in ballots. ...

States With Mostly Mail Elections (October 2024)
www.ncsl.org

... In mostly mail elections, all registered voters are sent a ballot in the mail. The voter marks the ballot, puts it in a secrecy envelope or sleeve and then into a separate mailing envelope, signs an affidavit on the exterior of the mailing envelope, and returns the package via mail or by dropping it off.

Ballots are mailed out well ahead of Election Day, so voters have an "election period," not just a single day, to vote.

Mostly mail elections can be thought of as absentee voting for everyone.

This system is also referred to as "vote by mail."

- - - Eight states and Washington, D.C., allow all elections to be conducted entirely by mail: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington state.

- - - Two states permit counties to opt into conducting elections by mail: Nebraska and North Dakota. ...


#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 06:27 PM


Does Utah have no-excuse mail voting, or must voters provide a qualifying reason or excuse to receive a mail ballot?
tracker.votingrightslab.org

... All voters receive mail ballots for general elections.

Utah conducts its elections by mail. All voters are sent a ballot in the mail between seven and 21 days before Election Day. ...


#15 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 06:32 PM

There are three long years yet before that occurs, if it occurs.

Meanwhile it's an even year. He has until around June when much of Congress goes home to campaign.

And if Republicans don't win the House he is likely to be impeached again.

And if Republicans don't hold the Senate he is likely to be convicted.

So a war with Cuba Canada or Mexico is pretty much guaranteed.

Truth is we have no idea what is about to happen to us.

That is why we call it The Great American FAFO.

#16 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-22 07:06 PM

@#16 ... Truth is we have no idea what is about to happen to us. ...

Agreed.

Ten months until the next elections, and a year before the results of those elections take effect.

Lots can happen in the interim.

Meanwhile the Great Country of the United States is being dragged down (world-wide and internally) by a President who seems to be little more than an authoritarian extreme narcissist.



#17 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 07:18 PM

After having just now re-funded ICE I can see that changing dramatically.

Asps in the bath.

#18 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-22 07:58 PM

@#18 ... After having just now re-funded ICE ...

Now, on to the Senate.


#19 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 08:21 PM

@#18 ... Asps in the bath. ...

Asps?

American Society of Plastic Surgeons?

#20 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 08:23 PM

#20 Did you really have to asps that, Lamp?

:-)

#21 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-22 08:25 PM

And if Republicans don't hold the Senate he is likely to be convicted.
#16 | Posted by donnerboy

Nah, need two-thirds for a conviction. No chance of that.

Trump knows no one can touch him because GOP has no bawlz. Anyone with principles was drummed out of the party years ago when Trumptard won the presidency the first time.

An example from right after Trump won in 2016 of the party selling their soul. And Mitt was one of the better conservatives.:
113016romney-1280x720-3339848332

#22 | Posted by censored at 2026-01-22 10:55 PM

@#22 ... Nah, need two-thirds for a conviction. No chance of that.

Trump knows no one can touch him because GOP has no bawlz. ...

As much as I want to disagree, I cannot.

A Blue Wave won't do it. A Blue Tsunami might, but I do not see such a tsunami on the horizon for the Senate.


#23 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 11:34 PM

Nah, need two-thirds for a conviction. No chance of that.

Trump knows no one can touch him because GOP has no bawlz. Anyone with principles was drummed out of the party years ago when Trumptard won the presidency the first time.

Let me remind us ...

In Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, the Senate fell 10 votes short of the 67 required for conviction.
Final Vote Count: The Senate voted 57 "guilty" to 43 "not guilty".

Requirement: A two-thirds majority (67 votes in the 100-member Senate) is necessary to convict.

Bipartisan Support: The 57 votes for conviction included all 50 Democrats and seven Republicans, making it the most bipartisan impeachment conviction vote in U.S. history.

The Seven Republican Voters: Richard Burr (NC), Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Mitt Romney (UT), Ben Sasse (NE), and Pat Toomey (PA).

#24 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-01-23 10:52 AM

@#18 ... Asps in the bath. ...
Asps?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
#20 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-01-22 08:23 PM

Cleopatera's mythological suicide.

Her factual symbol is a coiled cobra.

It's possessive of defiance and resignation, at least that's how I use it.

Not only is it an accurate description of the Democrat dillemma, it's also fun to say "asp in the bath."

In other words - these poisonous traitors have "helped" people see what the Democrat caucus really are.

#25 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-23 03:41 PM

#25 What the Democratic caucus really is, is the only counter to the GOPyers caucus.

Tear down the Democratic caucus - regardless of its many, many faults (and there are many) - only upholds the GOPyer caucus.

See also: internecine warfare.

#26 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 03:54 PM

#25 What the Democratic caucus really is, is the only counter to the GOPyers caucus.
Tear down the Democratic caucus - regardless of its many, many faults (and there are many) - only upholds the GOPyer caucus.
See also: internecine warfare.
#26 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 03:54 PM

Rightly assumed, so what happens next?

I'm putting a tariff on "internecine".

#27 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-23 04:08 PM

#27 We work our --- off - money, volunteer, run for office - to ensure that Democrats, from the Senate down to the very local level, are elected over their GOPyer rivals.

This also means in 2028, as well.

Eye on the prize, Red.

Eye on the prize.

#28 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 04:12 PM

Once the Elites got CU and Money as Speech it was all over for integrity in politics.

Wanna get elected? You need big money for big ad buys.

Until there is Public Financing of Elections, there'll be very few independent 'For the People' politicians getting elected.

Trick is to make the Elite and the Media (but I repeat myself) pay for it without getting the perks they do now.

#29 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-23 04:14 PM

In Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in 2021, the Senate fell 10 votes short of the 67 required for conviction.
#24 | Posted by donnerboy

He was no longer in office and they thought he was out of politics for good. That's not the case this time around, and the American people have made it clear they don't care about Trump's crimes when they elected him in 2024.

IMHO, there's only personal downsides for Republicans if they removed him from office. And we know the vast majority of GOPhers holding office have no principles. Thus the crickets when Trump breaks every law in the book.

#30 | Posted by censored at 2026-01-23 04:58 PM

#27 We work our a$$ off - money, volunteer, run for office - to ensure that Democrats, from the Senate down to the very local level, are elected over their GOPyer rivals.
This also means in 2028, as well.
Eye on the prize, Red.
Eye on the prize.
#28 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 04:12 PM

That's darling. Spirited, perhaps./s

Honestly, I'd like to be more helpful, but more seriously:

The distinction between a viable and non-viable candidate is from whom are they are financed.

Once the Elites got CU and Money as Speech it was all over for integrity in politics.
Wanna get elected? You need big money for big ad buys.
Until there is Public Financing of Elections, there'll be very few independent 'For the People' politicians getting elected.
Trick is to make the Elite and the Media (but I repeat myself) pay for it without getting the perks they do now.
#29 | Posted by Corky at 2026-01-23 04:14 PM

MSM "media" is done.

People inform themselves readily, and often misinform just as readily from online sources which is now organizing commuity sources.

Progressive policy is populist policy AND that is recognized more and more with each corporate-funded, self-serving misstep and distraction.

We agree the Citizens United symbolizes this treacherous cabal.

Nothing less will do, but Democrats will find a way..

#31 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-23 04:59 PM

I meant for that to read "CU and Money big ad buys Trick is to make the Elite the Media."

#32 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-23 05:03 PM

#31 The distinction between a viable and non-viable candidate is from not solely from whom are they are financed.

How much they are financed, regardless of the source, is the primary distinction you're seeking.

#33 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 05:10 PM

Republicans are aware they're expected to lose in November.

They've got plans on how to deal with it.

There's no way Trump and the Republican Party are going to give up their absolute control over the country.

Trump Billionaires are buying up elections and voting machines across the country. They already control all the media in America.

#34 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-23 05:11 PM

Unfortunately Democrats won't learn from what Mamdani did in NYC and repeat that across the nation.

#35 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-01-23 05:14 PM

#35 That's because "across the nation" is not New York City.

There were many effective strategies that Mamdani did in NYC, and some would be very effective in many local races. **

But you cannot expect Democratic candidates to do/say things in their races that would cost them votes, even a chance to be elected.

Just like you cannot expect Democratic candidates to actually give their GOPyer opponents actual words that can be used against them. The GOPyers will lie enough without having the Democrats giving them ammunition.

** All politics is local - Tip O'Neill

#36 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 05:21 PM

#31 The distinction between a viable and non-viable candidate is from not solely from whom are they are financed.
How much they are financed, regardless of the source, is the primary distinction you're seeking.
#33 | Posted by A_Friend at 2026-01-23 05:10 PM

Perhaps we are different animals.

Strength isn't descriptive of monies or a slick pander campaign.

I have sympathy for the powerless, casual folk enamored by glistening misinformation.

Progress is necessary, everything else is a distraction.

But certainly, obtain your diseases with abandon, they welcome an enthusiastic hole!:]

#37 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-01-23 05:32 PM

Zohran Mamdani shares something in common with a Canadian progressive who unfortunately did not succeed named Jagmeet Singh of the NDP. They are further left than the Canadian Labor Party.

Both had the same message wherever they went-- throughout the boroughs for Zohran and throughout the provinces for Jagmeet.

When you listen to them, they are unscripted and unwavering.

Many politicians in the US adjust their language for the audience.

Then they are caught in a "Gotcha!" moment on camera in another state or neighborhood.

I would be hard-pressed to see such "Gotcha!" episodes from Zohran Mamdani or Jagmeet Singh.


#38 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-01-23 05:38 PM

Once again, the only real hope the GOP has of winning in '26 is by lying and cheating and suppressing the vote in battleground States. They know it. We know it. And every honest person reading this also knows it.

#39 | Posted by moder8 at 2026-01-23 08:55 PM

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