Democrats edge GOP in favorability ratings, but neither party looking good, poll shows

Americans views the Democratic Party more favorably than the GOP, according to Gallup, although both parties have a net unfavorable rating and the measure does not always translate into success at the ballot box.

Democrats hold a 44 percent favorable rating compared to 34 percent for Republicans. The latter rating is up slightly from the GOP’s all-time low of 28 percent during the government shutdown in October, Gallup said Friday.

Republican ratings have have suffered since October 2005, when President George W. Bush’s approval ratings began to decline. It had positive ratings before then, except during impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton in late 1998 and early 1999.

Neither party can boast much, since it has been nearly a decade (July 2005) since Americans viewed both parties more favorably than not, Gallup said.

“The Democrats currently lead their Republican rivals in overall favorable ratings, but even if they are able to maintain this position throughout the 2014 midterm election cycle, it hardly augurs success for the party,” Gallup said, noting several instances between 1996 and 2012 “in which the more popular party has failed to dominate the November elections.”