CNN: GOP Now the “Party of the People,” Overtaking Democrats, New Report Finds
In a surprising twist, CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten has highlighted a major political realignment that has taken place during Donald Trump's era.
During a Friday appearance on CNN’s News Central with host Kate Bolduan, Enten shared new polling data indicating that Republicans have now rivaled Democrats as the “party of the people.” Meanwhile, Democrats' core support has shifted toward Americans with college degrees.
Bolduan introduced the segment by noting the broader context of economic uncertainty, saying: “Throughout all of this one big question has been and continues to be how much pain are Americans — will Americans have to endure in this trade war, and how much will they be OK enduring. A new poll out offers maybe some insight into that feeling showing that Americans are split when asked which party cares most about their needs.”
Enten then jumped in, clearly taken aback by the findings: “This to me is one of the most shocking pieces of poll data that I truly truthfully have seen this year or maybe in any prior year,” he said.
He pointed out that historically, Democrats held a clear advantage when voters were asked which party "cares more about the needs for people like you." Enten laid out the history: in 2017, Democrats had a 13-point lead on the question; in 2005, they led by 23 points; even in 1994 — a strong Republican year — Democrats still led by 19 points.
“And now all of a sudden, a tie,” Enten emphasized. “All of a sudden, the Democrats, who were the party of the people, no more — no more.”
Bolduan then asked where Republicans have made the most progress.
Enten broke it down: among voters with college degrees, the Democratic advantage remains steady — “plus-18 points for Democrats in 2017, plus-18 points for Democrats now.” However, among voters without a college degree, there’s been a “tectonic shift.” He noted that in 2017, Democrats had a seven-point advantage among non-college voters. Today, Republicans are ahead by nine points.
“The gains have been concentrated, at least within the last decade, among voters without a college degree — the working class,” Enten explained, crediting much of that movement to the Trump years.
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He added: “The Democratic base is now those with a college degree. Among the working class — those without a college degree — Republicans have overwhelmingly gained on this all-important question of which party cares more for people like yourself.”
Bolduan then pivoted to ask what impact this could have on the upcoming midterm elections, given that historically, the party in power — currently Republicans — tends to lose seats.
Enten compared the current numbers to past cycles: “I want you to take a look here at the generic congressional ballot. Where we were in April of 2017, Democrats were already ahead by seven points. In November of 2024, on this question, it was a tie. And then, of course, Republicans won control.”
As for now? “It’s Democrats but just by a point,” Enten said, cautioning that Democrats shouldn’t be overly confident about reclaiming the House: “Republicans still have a real shot at this despite all of Trump’s theatrics over the last month with this tariff war.”