The Democratic Party's favorability has plummeted to a record low of 29%, leaving many members wondering if they should focus on stopping Republicans or just stop the party’s leadership altogether.

With a staggering 20-point drop in favorability since January 2021, Democrats are feeling the heat—only 63% of their own ranks now view the party favorably, and a striking 52% believe the leadership is steering the party off course. As independents express a tepid 19% favorability, party members are increasingly aligning on the idea that it's more crucial to halt the Republican agenda than to reach across the aisle, raising an essential question: Is it time for Democrats to stop and fix themselves before they try to fix the country?

As Democrats navigate this turbulent political landscape, it's worth noting that their favorability rating among Americans stands at a record low, currently at 29%. That’s a swift drop reminiscent of the last time your friend took a hard left while driving: sudden and disorienting, leaving everyone involved unsure of just how many guardrails they might have just crashed through.

In a not-so-shocking revelation, the survey indicates a pronounced frustration with Democratic leadership. Over half of the party's members—52%, to be precise—have voiced their opinion that the party is careening in the wrong direction. The remainder, undoubtedly waiting for a lengthy PowerPoint presentation, couldn’t quite decide which way that direction was. It almost sounds like a political version of 'the dog ate my homework.'

Interestingly, this discontent doesn’t follow a straightforward narrative. Democratic-aligned adults are split along demographic lines: 63% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents report a favorable view of their own party, down from earlier figures. While only 37% of Democratic-leaning independents seem to share favorable views, this suggests that Democrats and independents are reading different versions of the same playbook—or even different books altogether.

This rift may be further compounded by the perception that Democrat policies are just a tad too extreme for many folks. Remarkably, 16% of Democrats themselves are in agreement, which might raise the question: would this be considered self-aware irritability or just the latest in fringe political amusement? Either way, it’s not winning them any friends, especially from those skeptical independents.

The demographic split continues, with a stark majority preferring the party to prioritize thwarting the Republican agenda rather than seeking common respect at the negotiating table. At 57%-42%, it signifies a marked shift in sentiment since the start of Trump’s first term when 74% of Democrats was enthused about collaboration—a sentiment now seemingly lost to the ether, like a forgotten password.

The Republican Party, for its part, holds a favorability rating of 36%. It's a curious cocktail of satisfaction for the GOP, particularly served alongside the sinking ship that is the Democratic favorability. One could almost taste the sweet irony of their rivals spiraling downwards, but alas, that satisfaction seems diluted by their own dogged discomfort in the public’s view—after all, misery loves company.

But perhaps the most telling sign of internal turmoil is the fact that more than 30% of respondents could not name a Democratic leader who symbolizes the party’s core values. It raises the pressing query: Could it be that they’re waiting for a Democratic superhero to swoop in with capes and clarity? Or perhaps they are simply reflecting on who left the party in this quagmire and why nobody seems to have the answer.

When asked to identify who best represents their values, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leads the pack with a mere 10% of the respondents’ nods, followed closely by former Vice President Kamala Harris at 9% and Sen. Bernie Sanders at 8%. It’s a heartwarming gathering of nearly 27%—a quaint lunch crowd at the party’s core values café, though one might wonder if they offer takeout for the rest.

In all, the shifting dynamics of the Democratic Party might leave some questioning whether it's time for some serious self-reflection or simply a swift yet awkward self-checkout from the public consciousness. Will they recalibrate their goals or have they checked out completely, waiting for a superhero with a strategic rescue plan? Only time will tell, but with the favorability ratings resembling sinking ships and discontent buzzing louder than a board meeting where no one agrees, perhaps some introspection may be just what the doctor ordered—or maybe just a good laugh over strong coffee.

Polling was conducted by SSRS between March 6-9 among a random sample of 1,206 US adults, which I assume included a healthy mix of those who cheer for the party and those who would rather watch paint dry than engage with political news.