CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten says the Democratic Party is entering the 2026 midterm election cycle in a far weaker position than it did before its sweeping House victory in 2018.
Enten compared the party’s net favorability ratings in the lead-up to both election years and described the shift as striking. According to the data he presented, Democrats held a +1 net favorability rating in 2018 before going on to flip control of the House of Representatives. Today, that number has fallen to -24, representing a 25-point decline.
“Way down there underwater,” Enten said as he introduced the graphic.
“Back in 2018 when Democrats were able to take control of the House, they were actually on the plus side of the ledger. They were actually in positive territory at plus one point. Look now in 2026. We’re not just talking down there underneath the Potomac. We’re talking down there with the Titanic. We’re talking 24 points underwater.”
Enten said that the numbers reflect public attitudes toward the Democratic Party as a whole, not simply its congressional leadership.
“This is just the party overall. This isn’t the congressional leadership. This is the party. The party. It’s just a terrible, terrible, terrible rating,” he said.
WATCH:
🚨 JUST IN: CNN is shocked to report that Democrats’ favorability rating is -25 POINTS versus the 2018 midterms
2018: +1
2026: -24 🤯“We’re not just talking down there underneath the Potomac. We’re talking down there with the TITANIC! We’re talking 24 points underwater!”… pic.twitter.com/aP52EJzJ1G
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 28, 2026
The CNN analyst joked that the numbers were so bad they reminded him of NBA legend Charles Barkley’s famous “terrible” catchphrase before asking what had caused the collapse in support.
The latest figures come from CNN polling that shows broad dissatisfaction with both major political parties. Just 28 percent of Americans currently hold a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party, while the party’s net favorability has deteriorated by nearly 30 points compared to the same point in President Donald Trump’s first term. Republicans also remain underwater overall, but pollsters note the GOP currently enjoys a stronger relative position than Democrats on party favorability.
Despite those weak favorability numbers, the political picture is more complicated than the headline suggests. CNN’s polling also shows Democrats leading Republicans on the generic congressional ballot by several points, driven in part by voters who dislike both parties but currently prefer Democratic congressional candidates over Republicans.
Enten has argued that those conflicting trends illustrate the unusual political environment heading into the 2026 elections. While many Democratic voters express frustration with their own party, many still indicate they plan to support Democratic candidates over Republicans in congressional races.
With just months remaining before voters head to the polls, both parties face significant challenges. Democrats must contend with historically poor favorability ratings, while Republicans seek to defend their congressional majorities in what analysts expect to be a highly competitive midterm election.
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