Action Over Labels

Why voters want problem solvers over partisans

A new nationwide poll reveals a fascinating divide in American politics. While the terms "bipartisan," "independent" and "nonpartisan" are often used interchangeably by pundits, voters clearly distinguish between them.

The most striking finding is that 63% of Americans view a politician "willing to work with both sides" favorably, nearly double the favorability of a "bipartisan candidate" (29%).

The favorability gap

In the landscape of modern American politics, we are often told the country is hopelessly divided. We hear that the "middle" is disappearing and that voters are retreating into their respective corners. However, this polling suggests that the desire for cooperation hasn't vanished. It has simply changed its language.

The data reveals a massive "favorability gap." While only 29% of respondents have a favorable view of a "bipartisan candidate," 63% favor a politician "willing to work with both sides of the aisle."

Why does a simple change in wording create such a dramatic shift in public perception? The answer lies in the difference between a political identity and a functional behavior.

1. The decline of the "bipartisan" brand

For many voters, the word "bipartisan" has become a Beltway term, a buzzword used by pundits and career politicians to describe backroom deals or compromise for the sake of optics.

In the poll, 51% of respondents felt neutral or unsure about a bipartisan candidate. This suggests that the term no longer carries a clear, positive meaning. To many voters, "bipartisanship" feels like a watered-down version of two ideologies rather than a solution to a problem.

2. The appeal of willingness and work

In contrast, "willing to work with both sides" describes an action. It moves the focus away from party and toward work ethic and pragmatism.

• It implies agency: A politician who is "willing to work" sounds like someone who is taking the initiative to get things done.
• It preserves identity: Voters don't necessarily want representatives who abandon their own values; they want representatives whose values include the maturity to negotiate.
• It resonates with independents: Even among self-identified independents, a "politician willing to work with both sides" remains the most favorable description tested, ahead of the "independent" and "nonpartisan" labels. For independents, the goal isn't just to find someone without a party; it's to find someone who can effectively navigate the parties that exist.

"Independent" (37% favorability) and "nonpartisan" (26%) descriptions offer an alternative to the two-party system, but they can also feel like unknowns. A politician "willing to work with both sides" signals both a known set of values and the flexibility to break through gridlock.

What it means

Voters respond less to labels than to behavior. Ask about a "bipartisan candidate," and half the country shrugs. Ask about a politician willing to work with both sides, and 63% respond favorably. In an era of record polarization, the appetite for cooperation hasn't disappeared. It has changed its vocabulary.

Methodology

Independent Center Voice 2026 Nationwide Online Survey of 1,200 adults, including 1,000 registered voters. Field dates: Dec. 30, 2025–Jan. 1, 2026. Total adult margin of error: ±2.83%. Registered voter margin of error: ±3.1%.