Almost Half of Adults See Other Party as Enemies, Threat
Brent Stirton, Getty Images
A CBS poll released on New Years weekend shows that four in 10 Democrats consider Republicans to be the enemy rather than just political opposition, and one that threatens their entire way of life.
Even more Republicans feel that way about Democrats. And the numbers are higher still among ideological liberals and conservatives.
The CBS News/YouGov survey included questions on how people feel about the events of Jan. 6, 2021 a year later, including what word or phrase best describes what took place. One question, asked of each party about the other, could say a lot about just how divided Americans will remain in the weeks and months ahead.
The survey found that 43% of Democrats feel Republicans are not simply political rivals but genuine enemies who pose a real threat to their way of life. One year on from the Capitol breach, 57% of Democrats think of Republicans as simply political opposition.
When you look at the results by ideology it climbs, with 51% of self-identifying Democrats who are liberals saying they consider Republicans a threat and an enemy, versus 49% who selected political opposition to describe Republicans.
Republicans felt the same way about Democrats by 48% to 52%. That is, approximately half of Republicans consider Democrats a threat, and half think only that Democrats would prevent Republicans from achieving policy goals.
Looking at the right by ideology, 50% of self-identifying Republicans who are conservatives selected enemy to describe Democrats, and 50% went with simply political opposition.
Its not all bad news, said CBS in its own article about the poll, writing that, not all partisans think of the opposition as enemies threatening their way of life. Those who do tend to be more ideological, though. CBS also notes that few Americans favor the idea of a so-called national divorce.
So theres that.
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
Follow this link:
Almost Half of Adults See Other Party as Enemies, Threat
- If liberals want to beat populism, they need to get tough heres how - The Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Its not only the election review the Liberals want to keep hidden - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Andrew Griffith: The stakeholders who cheered on the Liberals' devastating immigration expansion - National Post - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The election review the Liberals didnt want you to see Full Story podcast - The Guardian - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Zempilas tells right-wing conference Liberals must win back 'lost Australians' - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The Liberals have muzzled the federal fiscal watchdog - The Globe and Mail - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Conservatives underestimate the environmental impact of sustainable behaviors compared to liberals - PsyPost - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals place motion on notice paper to speed up Bill C-9 - iPolitics - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals reach 49% voter support and the party's biggest lead in 10 years: Leger poll - Yahoo News Canada - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals to cut CBC by $192-million in 2026-27 - The Hill Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The real problem facing Church of England liberals - The Spectator - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- What are Labor and the Liberals offering for you this SA election? - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The stakeholders who cheered on the Liberals' devastating immigration expansion: Andrew Griffith in the National Post - The Macdonald-Laurier... - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- Liberals going digital to bring new life to party brand - The Canberra Times - March 7th, 2026 [March 7th, 2026]
- The rise (and rise again) of the zombie liberals - Prospect Magazine - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- All about choice? Liberals move childcare battlelines to vouchers for nannies and grandparents - The Guardian - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Bell: Carney goes squishy on strikes at Iran as poll shows Liberals hate them - Calgary Herald - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Quebec Liberals call for suspension of constitution process until after election - Montreal Gazette - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Support for sovereignty nosedives, leaving Quebec Liberals and PQ in dead heat: poll - Yahoo News Canada - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Liberals and Conservatives get it wrong on nominations in held ridings, yet again - The Hill Times - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Afternoon Update: Trumps war on Iran under fire; PM tables Liberals leaked election review; and how to see the blood moon eclipse - The Guardian - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Liberals idea of diversity - The College Fix - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Jamie Sarkonak: Even Liberals know their immigration plan, and minister, are duds - Yahoo News Canada - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- The Climate Cant Wait for the Liberals to Take it Seriously - tasgreensmps.org - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Going once, going twice, sold! What's on offer this election from Labor and Liberals to fix the housing crisis - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - March 4th, 2026 [March 4th, 2026]
- Hope and no worries after poll shows narrowing gap between Quebec Liberals and PQ - Montreal Gazette - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals move forward with nominations as election talk ramps up - The Globe and Mail - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Crunching the numbers needed for the Liberals to move from minority to majority - iPolitics - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals ascend to 13-point lead in vote intention as Canadians continue to demand hard line on U.S. trade - Angus Reid Institute - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Liberals' omnibus budget bill passes final hurdle in the House of Commons - CBC - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Four years on: Liberals stand up for Ukraine stronger than ever - ALDE Party - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Carney and Liberals open widest lead over Poilievre Conservatives in wake of tariff threats and Conservative defection. (Nanos) Nanos Research -... - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Opposition parties back changes to status rules in Indian Act, Liberals say not yet - The Spec - February 27th, 2026 [February 27th, 2026]
- Carneys Liberals Take Another Step Toward a Majority Government - Bloomberg - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Another Canadian Conservative lawmaker defects to Carneys governing Liberals - AP News - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Opinion | Liberals exploited public housing. That must stop. - The Washington Post - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Liberals extend Inuit Child First Initiative for 1 year, again - Nunatsiaq News - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses floor to Liberals - The Globe and Mail - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Liberals add third Conservative floor-crosser, setting up potentially decisive byelections - iPolitics - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Edmonton Riverbend community reacts to MP joining Liberals - MSN - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- A 3rd floor-crosser puts Liberals on brink of majority. Are more coming? - CBC - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- How Ontario Liberals hope to exit political wilderness when they elect new leader in November - CBC - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Video: Carney meets with Jeneroux after Alberta MP leaves Conservatives to join Liberals - The Globe and Mail - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Conservative MP Matt Jeneroux crosses the floor to the Liberals - National Post - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- EXCLUSIVE POLL: Carney Liberals on the heels of Conservatives in Alberta - Western Standard - February 20th, 2026 [February 20th, 2026]
- Whats Behind the Centrists Resistance to the Resistance Liberals? - The New Republic - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Liberals clash over AOC's word salad on Taiwan, arguing 'that answer was terrible and you know it - Yahoo - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Sussan Ley is todays scapegoat - but she was never the Liberals core problem | Tony Barry - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- What the Albanese government did on the environment amid the Liberals turmoil: threatened species, a new coal project and carbon leakage - The... - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Afternoon Update: Liberals leaked immigration plan; Bondi accused appears in court; and how to grieve a pet - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- New opposition leader Taylor wants to stop bad immigration but says Liberals arent One Nation lite - The Guardian - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- The right wing has seized control of the Liberals, but the fight has just begun - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Entangled in words: the Vende genocide, liberals, and patriots - Contando Estrelas - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- LILLEY: Liberals dead-set on attacking Jamil Jivani over effort to help with Trump - Toronto Sun - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Plotters, kingmakers and dark horses the Liberals vying for control - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Nanny vouchers and tax offsets floated by Liberals - AFR - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Liberals see path forward for budget bill, but Conservatives still have huge concerns with cabinet's 'regulatory sandbox' - The Hill Times - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Mainstream liberals join Soros in bankrolling group backing DC jury nullification effort - Washington Examiner - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Former President Leads Early-Election Race in Bulgaria as the Liberals Trail in Third Place, Survey Shows - Novinite.com - February 18th, 2026 [February 18th, 2026]
- Gun trainers nationwide say women and liberals are taking more interest in classes after Alex Prettis shooting - NBC News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Gun trainers nationwide say women and liberals are taking more interest in classes after Alex Prettis shooting - NBC News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory - The Conversation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory - The Conversation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Local Liberals: The Second Amendment Is for Everyone - East Lansing Info - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Matthew Lau: The Liberals weak case for a spring election - Yahoo! Finance Canada - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Several Liberals considering their options as race for leadership heats up - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals and Conservatives trade accusations of obstruction - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- If the Liberals think Angus Taylor will save them, theyre in for a shock - SMH.com.au - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ontario Liberals opt to allow temporary residents to vote in leadership race even though federal counterpart barred them - iPolitics - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Conservatives in behind-the-scenes talks to avoid spring election: sources - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ontario Liberals opt to allow temporary residents to vote in leadership race even though federal counterpart barred them - QP Briefing - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Coalition support plunges, Liberals face mass resignations. Here's what multicultural voters are saying - SBS Australia - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Expect polls to determine when Liberals force early election - Brooks Bulletin - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals reject Poilievres call for tax relief on GM workers severance pay - CTV News - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Liberals, Conservatives working on deals that could avoid election: sources - CBC - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Beware of anti-woke liberals: they attacked the left and helped Trump win | Jan-Werner Mller - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Political theatre or genuine offer to help? Conservatives show signs of wanting to cooperate with Liberals - Global News - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Stephen Harper calls for Liberals, Conservatives to come together in the face of Trump, separatist threats - CBC - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberals leader Sussan Ley have failed to reunite the Coalition in time for the return of parliament. -... - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]
- Liberals and Nationals to sit apart in parliament after David Littleproud and Sussan Ley fail to make amends - The Guardian - February 4th, 2026 [February 4th, 2026]