3.Differences Between Democrats and Republicans

Democrats and Republicans hold sharply contrasting images of one another.In the mid-1980s，Democrats considered the GOP to be a tough guy party that took a hard line against communists and terrorists in foreign affairs and against criminals，welfare cheats，and draft dodgers at home.Republicans considered the Democratic Party to be the party of the losers，the lame，and the lazy.The party could not meet the nation’s responsibilities in the world arena，and the Democrats were too soft toward the communists abroad and too tolerant toward such fringe groups as feminists，peaceniks，gays，and troublemakers at home.

The two major parties also differ on a number of general principles，such as the proper role of government and liberalism versus conservatism.Most Democrats believe the federal government should help people in need of housing，medical care，and the like；hardly more than one-quarter of polled Republicans agree.On some highly sensitive issues such as abortion，voters do not divide sharply along party lines.On many routine，day-to day issues party rank-and-file differences are only moderate，though even a moderate difference may have significant policy results in Washington.

Nor can one discern sharp differences between the party memberships in their economic or social circumstances with a few important exceptions.Republicans may seem to some the“party of the rich”，but there are high-income Democrats as well.And even if the Democrats call themselves the“party of the poor”，eighteen percent of those earning less than＄10，000ayear considered themselves Republicans.In general，Democrats traditionally have supported workers and minorities，while the Republicans are known for their support of business and conservative positions on social issues.