Following the Democratic Party's losses in the 2024 elections, a recent Gallup poll reveals a growing desire among Democrats for a more moderate approach. A significant 45% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents surveyed expressed a preference for their party to shift towards the center, a notable increase of 11 percentage points compared to 2021.

This shift in opinion coincides with a decline in the desire for a more liberal stance within the party, dropping five points to 29%. The preference for maintaining the current ideological position also decreased by nine points to 22%. This poll was conducted shortly after President Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.

In contrast, the survey shows a growing trend among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents to maintain their current ideological course. Support for this position rose by nine points to 43% compared to 2021. Conversely, the desire for a more conservative approach within the GOP fell 12 points to 28%. The percentage favoring moderation remained relatively stable at 27%.

Gallup suggests that the Democrats' current preference for moderation may be a direct consequence of their 2024 election losses, as they strategize for future elections. Meanwhile, the Republican Party, under the continued influence of former President Trump, has seen a shift from a traditionally conservative base to a more populist following aligned with Trump's "America First" agenda. Two-thirds of Republican and Republican-leaning voters identify as conservative, while 31% consider themselves moderate and only 2% identify as liberal.

These findings from the Gallup poll are consistent with another recent national survey conducted by Quinnipiac University, which revealed a decline in favorable opinions of the Democratic Party and an increase in favorable opinions of the Republican Party. The Quinnipiac poll showed only 31% of respondents viewed the Democratic Party favorably, the lowest percentage recorded since the poll's inception, while 43% viewed the GOP favorably, the highest in Quinnipiac's polling history.