More than half of Americans say the country’s best days are already behind it

CNN’s poll finds that more than half of political independents are either dissatisfied with or indifferent to both political parties – but different blocs of independents hold notably different attitudes.

And within the parties, people are more vehement in their dislike of the opposition than in their enthusiasm for their own party. The Democratic Party last saw positive ratings from a solid majority of the country in February 2009, while the Republican Party last saw a favorability rating of 55% or higher in February 2005.

It’s been 23 years since Americans gave both parties ratings that were broadly positive at the same time.

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