Poll: Dems rate higher on healthcare, social policy; GOP has edge on security, debt

Americans say both U.S. political parties have their own key strengths, with Democrats receiving a higher rating on social policy issues and Republicans with an edge on national security, a new poll shows.

According to a Gallup poll released Monday, Democrats receive higher marks on the environment, minority rights, education and healthcare, while voters credit the Republican Party for doing a better job handling the federal debt, national security and terrorism.  

Democrats received their largest margin when asked about the environment and discrimination against minority groups.

{mosads}With a 34 percent lead, 63 percent say Democrats are better on the environment, including climate change, as opposed to 29 percent who think the Republican Party is better on the issue.

Democrats also enjoy a double-digit lead when it comes to handling discrimination against minority groups, with 59 percent saying Democrats are better while Republicans receive 30 percent.

Despite the Republican efforts to pass a new healthcare bill that dismantles ObamaCare, Democrats also received a higher rating in healthcare policy. 

More than half, or 55 percent, say Democrats are better on healthcare policy, while 36 percent say Republicans handle it better.

At a time when fear of a possible terrorist attack is high, both President Trump and Republicans received their highest marks on the military and national defense.

With a lead of 22 points, 57 percent of Americans say the Republicans would better handle the issue, while 35 percent say Democrats would.

Republicans also received double-digit marks from voters, 49 percent, from voters who believe they handle the federal government debt better, as opposed to 35 percent for Democrats, and similarly, with terrorism, with 48 percent trust Republicans more to 38 percent trusting Democrats.

Some issues also stand in the middle ground with neither party receiving more than a few points more or less than the other including tax policy, foreign trade and the economy.

Gallup collected the poll data between June 7 and 11. Half the respondents said they identified with or leaned to the Democratic Party, while 43 percent identified with or leaned to the Republican Party.

The margin of error for the sampling is 5 percentage points.