A conservative shift in the Republican Party and a more liberal focus by Democrats are key factors in President Donald Trump's soaring popularity within the GOP, according to analysis by The Washington Post.
The newspaper previously noted the only Republican president with more support from Republicans in the modern era was George W. Bush. Consultant Bruce Mehlman, using Gallup's presidential approval ratings, said Bush 43 had a 92 percent rating from Republicans around 500 days into his presidency, compared to Trump's 87 percent rating.
George H.W. Bush had an 85 percent approval rating with GOP voters at the same point in office, and Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon each had 83 percent. Ronald Reagan recorded a 77 percent approval rating.
In the new analysis, posted Tuesday, the newspaper said that political ideology of both the Republican and Democratic parties has shifted significantly over the long-term.
It said the number of self-identified conservatives in the Democratic Party has been cut in half since 2000, and the number of self-identified liberals now make up half the party. This has occurred while the number of Republicans identifying as conservatives or as “extremely conservative” has continued to climb.
Citing data compiled by a General Social Survey, the newspaper said 39.5 percent of Republicans identified as conservatives 18 years ago, compared to 47.7 percent today. Only 6 percent identify as liberals.
It said the GOP is much more ideologically pure than the Democrats.
And it said Trump has grown more conservative in recent years and his presidency has reflected that. The newspaper said the Republican party's ideology has become more homogeneous. And it said a president who appeals to the homogeneity is likely to do well.
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