The latest polling data paints a pretty bleak picture for the Democratic Party, with CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten pointing out that their favorability is hitting rock bottom. According to polls by The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Gallup, the party’s net favorability is significantly in the negative, with Enten putting it bluntly: “The Democratic Party’s net favorable rating — record lows in all three.” It seems like the party is now facing some of the worst ratings they’ve seen in recent political history.
Enten explains that a big part of this dissatisfaction is coming from within the Democratic base itself. The base appears to be looking for something different, something new. This internal conflict is adding to the party’s woes, especially since there isn’t a clear front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination.
In the past, strong figures like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Al Gore had emerged early on as leaders in their respective races. But this time around, there’s no such figure stepping up to the plate. This lack of leadership is creating more chaos and division among Democrats.
As Enten puts it, “Democrats at this point are historically divided. It is a complete and utter mess. It is messier than a hoarder’s basement.” He notes that usually, by now, there would be a national early poll leader with more than 25% support, but that’s not the case this time.
For instance, in 2020, Biden was polling above 25%, just like Hillary Clinton in ’08 and ’16 and Al Gore in ’00 and ’04. Now, there’s no one in the Democratic race polling at that level. With no clear leader, the field is wide open, and the water is warm for any Democrat considering a run in 2028.
CNN admits: “The Democratic brand is total and complete garbage!” After years of divisive policies, economic failures, and low approval ratings, the 2024 election was a reality check. pic.twitter.com/qLktONF1qn
— 𝐃𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐇 (@pr0ud_americans) August 1, 2025
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When asked if the party’s unpopularity is part of the reason for the lack of a front-runner, Enten confirmed that it plays a significant role. He points out that the Democratic brand itself is in the basement, making it hard for anyone to rise to the top. “It is total and complete garbage in the mind of the American public,” he said.
Chris Cillizza, a political contributor from NewsNation, also chimed in on this issue, describing the situation as a “brand crisis” for the Democrats. He noted in his newsletter that people are confused about what the Democratic Party actually stands for. According to him, people see the party as “weak, woke, and anti-Trump,” none of which are winning attributes.
Further polling backs up these sentiments. A survey from May conducted by Puck and Echelon found that many likely voters view the Democratic Party as “liberal, weak, and corrupt.” The word “weak” was the most commonly used descriptor among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters.
The negative view of Democrats in Congress was further supported by a Quinnipiac University poll from July 16, which recorded the lowest approval rating ever for congressional Democrats — just 19%. These numbers are a clear indicator that the party has a significant public opinion challenge ahead of them.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, these polling results suggest that the Democratic Party has a lot of work to do if they want to improve their standing. The opinions of contributors and content partners, like those of RVM News, offer their own perspectives on this issue, reflecting a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction.
These insights are crucial as the party navigates this challenging political landscape. The Democratic Party is at a crossroads, and how they respond to these challenges will determine their future success. As it stands, the party’s image problem is a significant hurdle that they need to overcome.
