A New York Times/CBS News Poll conducted May 13-17 found that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees, have seriously negative ratings on favorability and credibility. For example:

—Trump was viewed unfavorably by 55 percent of the 1,300 adults (1,109 of them registered voters) polled nationwide; he was seen as favorable by 26 percent. (These numbers don't add up to 100 percent because of "don't know" and "no answer" responses.)

Clinton was considered favorably by 31 percent, and unfavorably by 52 percent.

In comparison, 50 percent of Americans in this poll approved of the way President Barack Obama is handling his job; 43 percent disapproved, and 7 percent had no opinion. (Thirty-four percent of the respondents identified as Democrats, 26 percent as Republican, 34 percent as independent and 6 percent answered, "don't know.")

—Sixty-six percent of respondents said Trump doesn't share their values; 31 percent said he does. Sixty-four percent said he isn't "honest and trustworthy," while 31 percent said he is.

Sixty percent of those same people said Clinton doesn't share their values; 37 percent said she does. Sixty-four percent said Clinton isn't honest and trustworthy; 32 percent said she is.

Millions of registered voters will participate in the general election — though we wonder how many will not vote for either candidate — and perhaps the sky-high negatives will moderate. Since 47 percent said they would support Clinton and 41 percent planned to vote for Trump, both candidates will eventually gain more buy-in.

Nevertheless, if Clinton and Trump are the nominees, it's highly likely that one of them will govern the Divided States of America, or, as the title of a new book by Yuval Levin describes our nation, "The Fractured Republic."

Sadly, national unity may well be elusive during the next presidency, and perhaps beyond. However, we remain hopeful and cautiously optimistic that communities and individuals in our region will strive to unite for the common good, in the recognition that true social and economic success occurs only when it is widely shared.

FROM THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA DAILY NEWS