Only 7 in 10 Democrats Like Their Own Party, and That Ain’t a Flex
United States – February 18, 2026 – A fresh AP-NORC poll highlighted by Fox News says about 70% of Democrats view their own party favorably, a long slide from 85% in September 2…
The air in here smells like hickory smoke, hot grease, and the sweet sound of AM radio arguing with a spreadsheet. I’m perched like a tailgate prophet watching the political class do donuts, and the Democrats just hit the curb.
Democrats: about 70% favorable toward their own party
Fox News points to new AP-NORC polling showing about 70% of Democrats currently have a favorable view of the Democratic Party. Not 97. Not 90. Seventy. That is not “unity,” that is a family reunion where everybody is smiling through clenched teeth.
- September 2024: Democrats at 85% favorable toward their party
- October 2025: down to 67%
- February 2026: hovering around 70%
The poll Fox highlighted was conducted Feb. 5 to Feb. 8, 2026, among 1,156 adults. The overall margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.9 points. For Democrats (including leaners), it’s plus or minus 6 points.
Overall party ratings: nobody’s getting a parade
In the same AP-NORC topline, the Democratic Party sits at 35% favorable overall (27% somewhat favorable, 8% very favorable) and 54% unfavorable (30% very unfavorable, 24% somewhat unfavorable).
The Republican Party is at 36% favorable overall (21% somewhat favorable, 15% very favorable) and 54% unfavorable (35% very unfavorable, 18% somewhat unfavorable).
Fox also flagged that roughly a quarter of Americans feel negative about both parties, and only about 1 in 10 feel good about both.
Who Americans trust on key issues
- Economy: 31% Republicans, 26% Democrats, 11% both equally, 32% neither
- Immigration: 33% Republicans, 29% Democrats, 9% both, 28% neither
- Health care: 35% Democrats, 23% Republicans, 11% both, 31% neither
- Cost of living: 27% Republicans, 27% Democrats, 36% neither
Enforcement moves: majorities say Trump has gone “too far”
The topline also shows majorities saying President Trump has gone too far on certain actions: 61% say using federal law enforcement at public protests in U.S. cities; 62% say sending federal immigration agents into U.S. cities; and 52% say deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally.
One more tell: confidence in the military
In AP-NORC polling tied to the October 2025 shutdown fight, the public expressed the most confidence in those running the military, ahead of the Executive Branch and the Supreme Court, while Congress sat near the bottom.
So when Democrats can only pull about 70% favorability inside their own tent, it looks less like momentum and more like a check-engine light. Live free, grill hard, and do not let a broken party tell you your paycheck is imaginary.
Democrats are stuck near 70% favorability with their own voters while both parties stay unpopular overall. The mood is smoke, heat, and distrust, and the economy is the fire under every seat.