Americans see Dems as divided

Amid a contentious primary season, a majority of Americans perceive the Democratic Party as divided rather than united. That’s according to a new Gallup poll conducted between Jan. 16-29. Sixty-five percent of Americans say the Democratic Party is divided, while only 43 percent say the Republican Party is divided. A rosier picture for both parties is painted when viewing the numbers by affiliation. Fifty-one percent of Democrats say their party is united, and 76 percent of Republicans view their party as united. Both groups also are satisfied with the selection of candidates running for their respective party’s nominations. Seventy-four percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents are generally pleased with the field. That figure is 78 percent on the Republican side, reflecting positive feelings toward President Trump. Ninety-two percent of Republicans approve of the job Trump is doing as president. In contrast, 8 percent of Democrats approve of POTUS. Trump’s overall job approval was 49 percent.