40-point gap: Poll finds patriotism is widest partisan divide in US values

The gap between the two major parties on patriotism reached 40 percentage points in a new survey, marking the widest ideological split among twelve values tested. Forty-six percent of Republicans ranked patriotism among the top three values the nation needs most. Only 6 percent of Democrats selected that same value. This difference is larger than any other disagreement found in the poll.

The data comes from a joint survey by Gallup and With Honor released on Sunday. The organization found that while Americans generally agree on core traits, the parties disagree on which specific values require the most urgent attention. Republicans prioritized patriotism at 46 percent, followed by responsibility at 41 percent and honesty at 38 percent. Democrats placed equality first at 44 percent, followed by fairness at 34 percent and honesty at 32 percent.

Independents positioned themselves between the two parties. They most frequently selected honesty at 34 percent, responsibility at 32 percent, and integrity at 31 percent. Just 15 percent of independents chose patriotism. The second-largest partisan divide appeared around equality. Forty-four percent of Democrats selected equality, compared to 10 percent of Republicans, creating a 34-point spread. Fairness showed a similar split, with 34 percent of Democrats and 15 percent of Republicans choosing that value.

An age divide also emerged in the results. Adults aged 65 and older were nearly three times as likely to say the nation needs more patriotism as adults aged 18 to 39. Thirty-two percent of older adults selected patriotism, while only 12 percent of younger adults did. Despite these internal differences, most Americans believe the country shares common ground. Thirty-two percent said they believed most Americans shared patriotism as a value. Freedom led that list at 38 percent.

Seventy-six percent of respondents believed people shared at least one of the twelve values regardless of politics. Fifty-nine percent said at least two values were shared, and 46 percent said at least three. The twelve values included freedom, patriotism, service, kindness, respect, equality, fairness, responsibility, integrity, courage, honesty, and humility. The survey found broad consensus on political tolerance. Seventy-nine percent of Americans said respecting different values matters more than sharing the same ones. That group included 84 percent of Democrats, 81 percent of independents, and 72 percent of Republicans.

Seventy percent of respondents said elected leaders must be willing to compromise across party lines, even at personal political cost. The Gallup analysis noted that Americans agree to disagree on many issues. The survey was conducted May 12 to 22 among a nationally representative panel of more than 3,000 U.S. adults.