Overview
- Majorities label both parties too extreme, and only 39% say Republicans govern ethically versus 42% for Democrats.
- Republicans report higher optimism about their party (69% hopeful), while Democrats show unusual internal discontent (67% frustrated with their own party).
- The GOP holds clear leads on crime (17 points) and immigration (9 points), as Democrats lead on health care, the environment, abortion and race, with views on LGBTQ issues now roughly even.
- The Republican advantage on the economy has narrowed from 12 points in 2023 to 3 points in 2025 (38% GOP vs. 35% Democrats), with a slight GOP edge on the budget deficit.
- A quarter of Americans say neither party represents people like them, and large shares agree with neither party on Israel–Hamas (46%) and Russia–Ukraine (36%); the poll was fielded Sept. 22–28, before the early-October Israel–Hamas deal and the monthlong shutdown.