Democratic Party keeps favorability edge over GOP in Gallup poll

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. residents still view the Democratic and Republican parties unfavorably as the year winds down, results of a Gallup poll released Wednesday indicated.

Sixty-one percent of those asked said they view the Republican Party unfavorably while 53 percent said they see the Democratic Party unfavorably, results indicated.

The GOP's favorability rating improved slightly to 32 percent from a record low of 28 percent in October, while the Democratic Party maintained a favorable rating of 42 percent in the latest poll.

Self-described moderates said they were more likely to have a favorable image of the Democratic Party -- 47 percent -- than of the Republican Party, at 27 percent, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said.

Results indicated nearly as many conservatives say they have a favorable view of the Republican Party as indicating they an unfavorable image of the GOP, 47 percent to 46 percent. Seventy-one percent of liberals said they viewed the Democratic Party favorably.

Results are based on nationwide phone interviews with 1,031 adults conducted Dec. 5-8. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.