How Liberals Unite Divide/Unite the Democrats
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President Trump has unified Democrats in opposition to his policies and rallied Republicans in support. But the reactions to Mr. Trump are masking important divisions within each party. Wall Street Journal/NBC News polling shows how the Democratic Party has become more liberal, and the policy tensions that will shape its future.
But the opposition to Mr. Trump has partially masked a set of conflicts within the Democratic Party, a new analysis of Wall Street Journal/NBC News polling finds. Tensions over health care, trade and other issues have intensified as the party’s liberal wing has gained power, and they are turning up during this year’s primary elections.
These divisions over policy reflect a changing party. Not long ago, more Democrats called themselves moderates than liberals. Now, more than half of Democrats consider themselves liberals, a rise of 20 percentage points since 2004.
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