Harry Enten, CNN’s senior data reporter, has painted a bleak picture for the Democratic Party as midterm elections approach. In a recent commentary, he emphasized the party’s struggle with voter trust, revealing polling data that suggests Americans are increasingly turning away from Democrats. This trend poses significant challenges ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Enten’s analysis came during an appearance on CNN, where he responded to a question from anchor Kate Bolduan about a new poll indicating that most Americans favor Republicans over Democrats on vital issues. “You know, Donald Trump being underwater… Let me tell you, this guarantees you nothing! Nothing!” he declared, highlighting the precarious position of the Democratic Party.
With party heavyweights like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer taking the lead and a wave of retirements among seasoned Democrats, concerns are mounting. Many of these departures come from safe seats, which will eventually be filled by fellow Democrats. However, key battleground states are leaning toward the Republicans, complicating the party’s prospects significantly.
Enten stressed that, concerning issues such as crime and the economy, voters trust Republicans significantly more. “Who leads on the economy? Republicans by seven. Immigration? Republicans by 13. How about crime? A big issue for Donald Trump and the Republicans. Look at that, lead by 22 points!” This data underscores that, at least for now, it’s the Republicans who seem to hold the advantage.
His commentary drew attention to the extent of the Democratic Party’s woes. “At this particular point, the ball may be on the ground, but the Democrats have not picked up the ball and run with it,” he remarked, implying a lack of effective action or strategy. Moreover, he noted a troubling trend: compared to the last midterm cycle, Democrats have not seen any significant improvement. “The GOP is more trusted than the Dems on the economy. It was 12 points in 2022… Republicans have actually gone up by 10 points,” he concluded, questioning the party’s trajectory.
As the crime issue becomes increasingly problematic, Enten highlighted that the Republican lead has expanded from 13 to 22 points. “So whatever Democrats are doing, it ain’t working,” he bluntly stated, signaling a possible reckoning ahead for the party as it approaches the 2026 elections.
Enten’s insights paint a stark picture for Democrats, who are grappling with a significant trust deficit among American voters. As polling numbers worsen, party leaders must navigate a challenging landscape ahead of the midterm elections, with Republicans firmly positioned on key issues that resonate with the electorate.
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