Whatever you think of when you hear the words “Republicans” or “Democrats,” most would probably describe their views as stubborn, unyielding, or entrenched, especially in the context of the current political landscape. However, recently released survey data from Gallup shows that partisan leanings are remarkably fluid, despite this media portrayal.

In 2021 alone, there was a seven-point shift in the way Americans affiliated with the major political parties. In January of 2021 as Joe Biden was being sworn is as President, 49% of Americans considered themselves Democrats. Twelve months later that figure had dropped to 42% while Republicans gained 7-points taking their end of 2021 figure up to 47%.

Is this a new pattern?

This phenomenon is not limited to our current era. Gallup’s data shows that over the last 30 years, the party identification of Americans has shifted dramatically, usually in flux with electoral results. As a popular Bill Clinton took office, over half of Americans identified as Democrats and a similar pattern can be seen at the end of 2008 when Barack Obama first won the presidency.

The current decline in Americans affiliating with the Democratic party follows a pattern similar to the President’s approval ratings in 2021. Party identification isn’t hard and uncompromising but rather a reflection on the politicians currently associated with that party.

What drives party identification to follow popular politicians?

Gallup’s party identification rollup chart lumps hardened partisans in with more moderate Americans. Those who identify as Independent but admit to “leaning” a certain way when pushed are counted as affiliating with a major party. In truth, the parties’ core bases have shrunk over time – each by the same amount. Yet Independent Americans have grown by 13 points since 1988. As these Americans make a choice at the ballot box, they absorb their candidate’s party identification, but only softly. These voters are truly independent and their choices, and party leanings, shift with each campaign cycle and candidate.

Conclusion

Despite what cable news and top social media profiles might have you believe, Americans are increasingly unwilling to firmly root themselves in either major political party. Instead, a plurality of Americans are politically independent and lean one way or another depending on the candidates and their perception of current politicians’ performances in office. In the long term, promoting extreme policy and using polarizing rhetoric is more likely to hurt a political party than build it up. Instead, politicians and their political parties must focus on solutions that improve the lives of all Americans.

The Network can play a major role in shifting our political rhetoric, by supplying politicians with well-researched and time-tested policies. From increasing housing affordability to stimulating the economic recovery, this Network has solutions ready to offer to policymakers to tackle the issues most troubling the American people, such as inflation. This could help politicians to be more solution-oriented, rather than continuing to rely on demonizing the other side.

Hyper-partisan rhetoric might play well on national television and in Washington, DC, but our lives are lived in our states and our communities, not DC. This Network should continue to spread the message that America is more united than divided. By emphasizing our commonalities rather than our differences, we can promote the federalism-principled solutions that will allow us to rediscover our unity by reclaiming self-governance closer to home.