The political landscape in the United States has seen a dramatic shift in recent months, as Democratic Party approval ratings continue to plummet while the Republican Party gains significant ground.
With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, the latest political analysis suggests that Democrats may be headed for a major defeat, as voter registration trends and key issues signal strong momentum for the GOP.
CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten highlighted this growing trend in his recent appearance on “CNN News Central,” where he broke down the data and provided his insightful commentary on the current state of the political scene.
According to Enten, the trajectory for Democrats appears bleak, with a series of missteps and political miscalculations leaving them vulnerable in key battleground states.
“Look, you’ve got President Trump underwater, and Democrats are thinking, ‘This is our time, we’re going to soar in the midterms.’ Let me tell you something,” Enten said.
“This guarantees you nothing. Nothing at all.” His remarks were aimed at the Democratic optimism, which has been fueled by public opinion polling showing a dip in Trump’s approval ratings. However, as Enten explained, the current situation for Democrats is far from a guarantee of success.
In fact, Enten humorously referred to the Democrats as “the New Orleans Saints of political parties,” likening their current predicament to the struggling football team.
The Saints, who are currently 0-3 in the NFL season, are widely regarded as one of the weakest teams, with little hope of turning their fortunes around in the short term.
Similarly, Enten suggested that the Democrats, despite their high hopes, are facing a significant uphill battle and have failed to capitalize on key issues that are likely to shape the outcome of the 2026 midterms.
One of the major factors working against Democrats is the economy. Despite their best efforts, Democrats continue to struggle with public perceptions of their handling of economic issues.
Enten pointed to a recent Washington Post/Ipsos poll, which revealed that Americans trust Republicans more than Democrats on key issues related to the economy, immigration, and crime.
According to the poll, Republicans hold a seven-point advantage over Democrats on the economy, a 13-point lead on immigration, and a staggering 22-point advantage on crime.
“This is bad news for Democrats,” Enten remarked, maintaining his football analogy. “The ball may be on the ground, but the Democrats haven’t picked up the ball.”
He emphasized that the Republican advantage on these issues has only grown since they regained control of the House of Representatives in 2022. While Democrats have made slight gains on the economy, they have suffered significant losses in other critical areas such as immigration and crime.
Enten’s commentary on immigration was particularly scathing. He pointed out that in 2022, Republicans had a three-point advantage on the issue.
However, the latest polling shows that Republican support on immigration has increased by a whopping ten points, highlighting the growing frustration with the Democratic approach to border security and immigration reform. “What are you doing, Democrats?” Enten asked rhetorically. “My goodness gracious, this is not good for you.”
💥WOW — CNN breaks down how MASSIVE of a lead Republicans have over Democrats in the upcoming midterms:
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 22, 2025
"The Democrats have NOT picked up the ball!"
"The Republican lead has actually gone UP?!"
"What are you DOING Democrats?!" pic.twitter.com/N1LFplwZPw
The situation on crime is no better for Democrats. Enten showed that Republicans have gained nearly double-digit support on crime, further solidifying their position as the party trusted to handle public safety.
This is a critical issue for many Americans, particularly in battleground states where rising crime rates have become a major concern. The Republican Party’s tough-on-crime stance has resonated with voters, while Democrats have struggled to respond effectively to public concerns.
The data analyst then turned his attention to independent voters, showing that their views on the key issues closely mirrored the overall trends.
Independent voters, who are often the swing vote in tight elections, appear to be moving away from the Democratic Party, further cementing the Republican Party’s advantage as the 2026 elections approach.
Meanwhile, voter registration numbers have been trending in favor of the GOP, with significant gains reported in key battleground states. According to Just the News, Republicans have seen a surge in voter registrations, particularly since the tragic assassination of conservative icon Charlie Kirk just 13 days ago.
The murder of Kirk, a prominent figure in the conservative movement, has had a profound impact on the political landscape, prompting a wave of Democrats to abandon their party and join the GOP.
This shift in voter registration is described as a “historic wave” of Democrats leaving the party and aligning themselves with the Republican cause. The motivations behind this shift are multifaceted, but one key factor is the public outcry over the celebration of Kirk’s assassination by radical left-wing activists.
Thousands of radical Democrats have expressed support for the murder, with many abandoning their humanity in favor of political violence. This has led to a backlash, with many moderate and centrist Democrats distancing themselves from the extreme elements of their party and joining the GOP.
Prominent left-wing figures such as former President Barack Obama, Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel have only exacerbated the situation by making inflammatory comments and fueling the political violence.
These figures have made incendiary remarks that have emboldened the radical elements of their base, leading to violent threats against conservatives and those who support them.
The backlash against the left-wing celebration of Kirk’s death has been swift, with many voters of goodwill coming together to condemn the violence and restore civility to the political discourse.
As a result, the GOP has seen a significant increase in voter registration, particularly in swing states that are expected to be pivotal in the 2026 midterms.
The situation in the Democratic Party has become increasingly untenable, with a growing divide between the radical left and more moderate factions.
The party’s extreme rhetoric and policies have alienated many traditional Democrats, who have found common cause with the GOP on key issues such as immigration, crime, and economic policy.
These former Democrats, disillusioned by their party’s embrace of radicalism and violence, are increasingly turning to the Republican Party as a more viable alternative.
As the 2026 midterms draw closer, the GOP is poised to make significant gains, especially if the Democratic Party continues down its current path. The radical elements within the party have made the political fight about more than just policy—it has become an existential struggle, one that has left many voters feeling alienated and disillusioned.
In response to the growing concerns about the direction of the Democratic Party, many moderate Democrats are joining forces with Republicans in a bid to restore balance and common sense to American politics.
This cross-party collaboration has the potential to reshape the political landscape in the coming years, with both parties working together to address the critical issues facing the country.
If the current trends continue, Democrats may find themselves in the political wilderness for a generation or more, as their radical agenda alienates more and more voters.
The GOP, on the other hand, is primed to capitalize on the Democratic meltdown, positioning themselves as the party of law and order, economic stability, and common-sense immigration reform.
Ultimately, the outcome of the 2026 midterms will depend on the ability of the parties to connect with voters and address the key issues that matter most to the American people.
As it stands, the GOP has a significant advantage in voter registration, polling, and public perception, while the Democratic Party continues to struggle with its internal divisions and extremist elements. If the Democrats fail to course-correct in the coming months, they may be in for a resounding defeat come November 2026.
