Patriotism ranks 40 points higher for GOP in new values survey

A new survey released Sunday identifies a 40-percentage-point gap between Democrats and Republicans regarding the value of patriotism. This disparity represents the widest ideological divide found in the study, which examined the core values Americans believe the nation requires.

The data from the Gallup and With Honor survey shows that 46% of Republicans ranked patriotism among the top three values the country needs. In contrast, only 6% of Democrats placed patriotism in that same top tier. Gallup noted that Democrats are far more likely to prioritize equality, fairness, and kindness, while Republicans focus on responsibility and patriotism.

The survey reveals distinct value hierarchies within each party. Republicans prioritized patriotism at 46%, followed by responsibility at 41% and honesty at 38%. Democrats placed the highest value on equality at 44%, followed by fairness at 34% and honesty at 32%. Independents selected honesty at 34%, responsibility at 32%, and integrity at 31%, with only 15% choosing patriotism.

Beyond party lines, the poll found a strong age correlation with patriotic sentiment. Adults aged 65 and older were nearly three times as likely to say the nation needs more patriotism compared to adults aged 18 to 39. The older demographic cited patriotism at a rate of 32%, while the younger group cited it at 12%. The second-largest partisan divide involved equality, which 44% of Democrats selected compared to 10% of Republicans.

Despite these specific divergences, the majority of respondents believe most Americans share fundamental values. When asked to identify values held by most citizens regardless of political leanings, 32% selected patriotism. Freedom was the most common choice at 38%. The survey listed 12 values including service, kindness, respect, courage, and humility. Seventy-six percent of Americans said people shared at least one of these values across party lines.

The poll also measured attitudes toward political tolerance and compromise. Nearly eight in 10 Americans, or 79%, stated that respecting different values matters more than sharing the same ones. This consensus held across all groups, with 84% of Democrats, 81% of independents, and 72% of Republicans agreeing. Additionally, 70% of respondents said elected leaders must be willing to compromise across party lines, even at a personal political cost. Gallup concluded that the ultimate shared value is that Americans agree to disagree.

The survey was conducted from May 12 to May 22. It included a nationally representative panel of more than 3,000 U.S. adults.