Poll: GOP approval of Supreme Court has plummeted since healthcare ruling

The survey, conducted by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press, found that the healthcare decision has produced sharp partisan divides not just over the law, but also the court itself.

Fifty-one percent of Republicans in the latest poll said they have an unfavorable view of the court, while just 38 percent had a favorable view.

{mosads}Republican leaders largely steered clear of attacking the court after its healthcare decision, but pundits and some rank-and-file members were critical of Chief Justice John Roberts. He cast the deciding vote to uphold the healthcare law while siding with conservatives on their primary legal arguments.

Similarly, Democratic approval of the Supreme Court shot up after the healthcare decision. Sixty-four percent of Democrats said they have a favorable view, compared with 26 percent who are unfavorable toward the court.

Overall, public opinion of the court remained narrowly positive at 51 percent — the lowest Pew has ever recorded. The survey found that only 52 percent had a favorable view of the court in April, the last time Pew asked about the Supreme Court.