Americans’ views on presidential power shift if their party holds the White House, a stance present on both sides of the aisle, a new survey found.
About two in 10 Americans surveyed in The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Opinion Research poll stated that it would be beneficial if the next commander in chief could adjust policy without waiting for the judicial and legislative branches.
However, 39 percent of Democratic respondents agreed with this position if Biden is reelected in November, and even more Republicans, 57 percent, if former President Trump returns to the Oval Office.
Pollsters pointed out that only 9 percent of respondents believe that the country’s system of checks and balances is working extremely well.
A partisan divide was also apparent in opinions on whether a particular institution holds excessive power.
Nearly half of GOP respondents expressed that the White House possesses too much power, while only 16 percent of Democrats, whose party currently holds the Oval Office, agreed, according to the poll.
Approximately 6 in 10 Democrats also stated that the nation’s highest court, which includes six conservative justices, has too much power. In comparison, 25 percent of Republicans agreed.
About 4 in 10 respondents overall mentioned that the legislative branch holds excessive power, with Democrats controlling the Senate while Republicans have the majority in the lower chamber.
The poll was carried out from March 21-25 with 1,282 adults. The margin of error was 3.8 points.
