A striking new report from CNN data analyst Harry Enten highlights a major realignment in American politics under President Donald Trump. In a Friday segment with host Kate Bolduan, Enten revealed that recent data clearly indicate Republicans have overtaken Democrats as the “party of the people,” while the Democratic Party now draws much of its support from Americans with college degrees.
“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,” Bolduan said to begin the segment before introducing Enten.
“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,” Enten began, clearly surprising the host. “Cares more about the needs for people like you. We’ve got a tie even after this tariff war had already started, split between Democrats and Republicans on how people feel which party cares more for needs of people like you. And why is that so surprising? Because I want you to take a look at prior years.”
Continuing, the data cruncher added: “Democrats always lead on this question. Back in 2017, before the 2018 midterms, 13- point lead. Two thousand five, a 23-point lead for Democrats. In 1994, which was a big Republican year, a 19-point lead for Democrats. And now all of a sudden, a tie. All of a sudden, the Democrats, who were the party of the people, no more — no more. We get a tie on this question on a question that has traditionally overwhelmingly been a Democratic advantage — people for — party — which party cares more for the needs of people like you. It’s truly something I would not have expected to see, especially after this tariff war had begun.”
“Where are — where does it show that Republicans are making the most gains?” Bolduan asked. Enten responded: “Again, you talk about party of the people. Look at this. Cares for the needs of people like yourself. Look here. We’ve got non- college, and we’ve got those with a college degree. Among those with a college degree it’s the same score, plus-18 points for Democrats in 2017, plus-18 points for Democrats now.”
“But look among non-college voters. Look here. It was plus-seven for Democrats in 2017 and now Republicans an overwhelmingly gain, plus- nine points. That is, the gains have been concentrated, at least within he last decade, among voters without a college degree — the working class. That is where Republicans have gained even since the beginning of the Donald Trump administration,” Enten said. “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.”