
CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten on Monday explained Republicans lead Democrats on key issues heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
A Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted Sept. 11 to 15 found the Republicans lead Democrats by 7% on the economy, 13% on immigration and 22% on crime. Enten said on âCNN News Centralâ that Democrats should not be reassured about their chances just because President Donald Trump tends to be âunderwaterâ in his polling, comparing the partyâs standing to the 2022 midterms when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.
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âLetâs compare it back to 2022. I think this kind of gives away the game right here. The GOP is more trusted than the Dems on the economy. It was 12 points in 2022. Slight, slight decline in that lead but still seven points,â Enten told host Kate Bolduan. âHow about immigration? It was Republicans by three back in 2022. Look at this. The Republican lead has actually gone up by 10 points. What are you doing, Democrats? My goodness gracious.â
âAnd on crime, the Republicans were up by 13 and now theyâre up by 22,â he continued. âThe lead again expanding by nearly double digits. So whatever Democrats are doing, it ainât working, Kate. It ainât working. Republicans have the lead on all three issues.â
Bolduan asked Enten what he believed was causing the shift.
âItâs all about the center of the electorate, right? You win with independents, you win overall,â Enten said. âAnd what do we see right here among independents? Republicans still have a point lead on the economy. They got a 10-point lead on immigration. They got a 21-point lead on crime.â
âThe bottom line is when you look at these numbers, Democrats should call their offices because at this particular point, even if the public doesnât like what Donald Trump is doing, they ainât necessarily liking what Democrats are doing,â he added. âAnd it ainât just a referendum on one party. You actually have to go out and beat that party at this particular point. Democrats are not able to beat Republicans.â
The Trump administration has achieved four straight months without paroling a single illegal migrant into the country. Moreover, the presidentâs crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., has coincided with a significant decline in violent crime.
The Federal Reserve finally cut interest rates by a quarter-point on Wednesday as job growth has decelerated and inflation continues to be above the Fedâs 2% target.
Furthermore, former President Joe Bidenâs health decline and disastrous reelection bid continue to dog the Democratic Party as it looks ahead to the 2026 midterms, especially as former Vice President Kamala Harris prepares to publish her book, â107 Daysâ on Sept. 23, The Washington Post reported on Sept. 15.
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