CNN data analyst Harry Enten and anchor Kate Bolduan discussed collapsing approval ratings for Democrats in Congress during a recent segment, pointing to polling that shows historic lows across the electorate, including among independents and Democrats themselves.
Enten said congressional Democrats are facing unprecedented disapproval, citing long-running polling data.
“Right now? Yeah. I mean Democrats, in the minds of the American public are lower than the Dead Sea,” Enten said.
“What are we talking about here? Well, let’s take a look the net approval rating for Democrats in Congress. You said it. Kate Bolduan, the lowest ever.”
Enten said the overall net approval rating for Democrats in Congress is deeply negative.
“Overall, they are 55 Points underwater. Their approval rating is south of 20%,” he said.
He added that the numbers are even worse among independents.
“It’s even worse when you look at Independence, look at this negative 61 points. That means that their approval rating is 61 points lower than their disapproval rating.”
According to Enten, the figures are the worst recorded since Quinnipiac began tracking the data decades ago.
“Quinnipiac has been polling this question for the better part of the 21st Century. They have never found Democrats, at least those in Congress, in worse shape than they are right now,” he said.
Bolduan pressed Enten on whether the collapse extended beyond independents.
“That’s independents and overall. But what about Democrats on Democrats?” she asked.
Enten responded that dissatisfaction within the Democratic base is now contributing to the overall decline.
“Yeah, what about Democrats on Democrats?” he said.
“So part of the reason overall is so low is independents are driving it low. But that’s not the only reason it’s so low.”
Enten said Democrats had not previously rated their own party negatively in congressional approval polling.
“Democrats, and that approval rating of congressional Democrats, I want you to keep in mind, they had never rated Democrats negatively until this year,” he said.
“And right now, what are we talking about? We’re talking about a net approval rating from Democrats. This is Democrats, and Democrats, their approval rating is actually lower, lower than the disapproval rating, and that is quite the drop from October.”
He attributed part of the decline to backlash following a government shutdown.
“I think during the shutdown, there was a bit of a boost for Democrats, right? There was a rallying around the flag effect going on, but Democrats did not like how that shutdown turned out. They have returned against Democrats in Congress,” Enten said.
Enten also referenced internal Democratic political consequences, mentioning Rep. Dan Goldman.
