Critical Analysis

1. In October 2020, right before the presidential election, Americans had roughly the same overall opinion of the Democratic and Republican Party. Since then, what has happened to party favorability ratings?

2. Why do you think Americans’ positive opinion of the Republican Party has declined so much since November?

3. How do you think public opinion of the parties will change over the next few months?

4. How do you think the current impeachment trial will impact public opinion of political parties?

5. Describe how party affiliation has impacted the decline in the favorable rating of the GOP.*

6. How will this gap in opinion of the Democrats and Republicans impact the ability of the Republicans in the 2022 midterm election?

7. Describe how this change in public opinion will impact the ability of President Biden to enact policy.

8. Describe the biggest gap in party favorable ratings over the past 30 years.*

9. New presidents were elected in 1992 (D), 2000 (R), 2008 (D), 2016 (R), and 2020 (D). Explain how the President’s party generally impacts party favorability?

10. How have the events of the past two months impacted your view of the parties?

11. Explain how party favorability ratings will impact the second Trump impeachment trial?

12. How much does the media impact public opinion of political parties?

Learning Extension

I can’t get enough charts. Join me and all the beautiful people checking out the Gallup charts and data on party approval.

Action Extension

Contact President Joseph Biden, share your pronouns, and tell him one thing he could do to improve his party’s favorability.

Visual Extension*