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Partisan Divide Over Patriotism Revealed in New Gallup Survey
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Findings on National Values
A Gallup and With Honor survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults conducted May 12–22 identified honesty (34%), responsibility (32%) and integrity (31%) as the values most urgently needed by the nation. Patriotism ranked far lower overall, yet the gap between parties was stark: 46% of Republicans placed patriotism among the top three values, compared with only 6% of Democrats, a 40-point difference that eclipsed any other ideological split in the poll.
Partisan Gaps in Priority Rankings
Republicans also prioritized responsibility (41%) and honesty (38%) after patriotism, while Democrats favored equality (44%) and fairness (34%) as their leading priorities. The survey noted that only 27% of Democrats said they would display the American flag on July 4, underscoring the low emphasis on patriotism within that party. Independents fell between the two camps, with just 15% selecting patriotism as a top value.
Age and Demographic Variations
Older adults showed markedly higher support for patriotism: respondents 65 and older were nearly three times as likely as those 18-39 to say the nation needs more patriotism (32% vs. 12%). This age divide mirrors the broader partisan split, suggesting generational attitudes influence value preferences.
Broad Consensus on Political Tolerance
Despite divergent priorities, the poll found strong agreement on the importance of civil discourse. 79% of Americans—including 84% of Democrats, 81% of independents and 72% of Republicans—said respecting differing values matters more than sharing the same ones. Additionally, 70% said elected leaders should be willing to compromise across party lines, even at personal political cost.
Context and Potential Implications
The Gallup analysis highlights a deep partisan rift over patriotism while simultaneously revealing a shared commitment to tolerance and compromise. Such a combination may shape future political messaging, with parties likely to emphasize their distinct value hierarchies while appealing to the public’s expressed desire for bipartisan cooperation.