One of the most enduring ideas the general public, and especially Democrats, have about President Donald Trump’s supporters is that they are bound by an unflappable, cult-like devotion to the president that transcends any sort of logic, reason, or reservations.

But in a lengthy thread on Twitter Tuesday, former University of Wisconsin-Madison professor and Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin revealed polling data that show this isn’t quite true. There are plenty of solid Trump partisans — but voters supporting Trump are, on average, less attached to him than voters opposing Trump are repelled by him:

A few fractures in the base; or partisan asymmetry in evaluations of the president. 1/14

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

For most of his presidency Trump has enjoyed approval among Republicans in the high 80 percent range. This has been much remarked upon. In Kaiser (@KFF) Health Tracking polls this year (January-April, June-July), Rep approval has been 89, 83, 84, 89, 87 and 85% (no May poll) 2/ pic.twitter.com/08CJSfv1t8

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

These are impressive numbers. But consider the DISapproval among Democrats for the same period: 94, 88, 89, 88, 88 and 85. Two parties get to play the game, and Democrats disapprove of Trump as much as Republicans approve. 3/ pic.twitter.com/0IHv1AgExL

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

If that were the full story, polarization reigns and the parties are symmetric in their devotion or disgust. All normal. But that isn't the full story. 4/

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

Approval is usually dichotomized but is often measured in four points-strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove & strongly disapprove. If we consider strength, the story is more complicated. The parties are NOT symmetric in strong approval vs strong disapproval. 5/

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

Among Republicans in 2019, 65% strongly approved of Trump's handing of his presidency. But among Democrats 80% strongly disapproved. If strength of opinion is motivating, say for turnout in 2020, advantage Dems. 6/ pic.twitter.com/FadBqNzXN7

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

For Republicans, the 65% strong approval was paired with 20% who somewhat approved. That oft cited 85% total approval is a bit fractured. For Dems, 80% strongly disapproved and just 9% somewhat disapproved. Rather unified. 7/ pic.twitter.com/Ohi7o33aQm

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

We might mention independents as well. In 2019 39% approved, 52% disapproved, but again strength mattered among Independents: 15% strong approval, 34% strongly disapprove. And 24% somewhat approve vs 18% somewhat disapprove. 8/ pic.twitter.com/OCXaxSG6Vv

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

Partisanship also varies in strength. (Pooling all 2019 data.) Compare partisans with independents who lean to a party. Again there is asymmetry. 65% of Reps strongly approve vs 80% of Dems who strongly disapprove. And … 9/ pic.twitter.com/7A1gMdq56C

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

Among Rep leaners 42% strongly approve and 33% somewhat approve. For Dem leaners: 72% strongly disapprove and 16% somewhat disapprove. 10/ pic.twitter.com/zyINftEaKp

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

Strong approval is 23 points higher among Reps than among Rep leaners. For Dems the gap is modest, 80% of Dems strongly disapprove and 72% of Dem leaners agree, just an 8 point difference. 11/ pic.twitter.com/jeDHNEwugc

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

While Reps are over 85% approving of the president, the ratio of strong-to-some approval is just over 3 to 1. Among Dems, the ratio of strong-to-some DISapproval is 8 to 1. 12/ pic.twitter.com/gulb8MiYJ6

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

It seems likely that GOP voters, either partisans or leaners, will find reasons to come home to Trump against a specific Democratic opponent. But there is more need for Republicans to develop a common view of Trump than there is for Dems to unite in opposition. 13/

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

There are strengths and weaknesses for both parties heading into 2020. But one of the most often cited Trump strengths, an approval with his base Republicans in the high 80s, has some fractures. 14/14 pic.twitter.com/8gpvAzDIUZ

— Charles Franklin (@PollsAndVotes) August 20, 2019

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… then let us make a small request. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We’ve launched a weekly podcast, “We’ve Got Issues,” focused on issues, not tweets. Unlike other news sites, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

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