Voters across all regional, demographic, and partisan divides express deep levels of concern with the deterioration of civility in politics. Nine-in-ten (90%, incl. 75% “strongly”) report being frustrated by what they perceive as an abundance of uncivil and rude behavior of politicians permeating our politics today. Furthermore, another 83% (incl. 66% “strongly”) agree that the behavior that has previously been viewed as unacceptable in American political discourse is now seen as acceptable, including overwhelming majorities of Democrats (87% agree, incl. 69% “strongly”), independents (75% agree, incl. 63% “strongly”), and Republicans (82% agree, incl. 63% “strongly”).
These factors contribute to the overwhelming sense that we are growing further apart as a nation, with over eight-in-ten (82%, incl. 61% “strongly”) voters believing that the political, racial, and class divisions in this country are getting worse, and that our national dialogue is breaking down. CONT. – pdf.
Celinda Lake, Daniel Gotoff & Corey Teter, Lake Research Partners
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Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service Battleground Civility Poll