CNN’s data analyst Harry Enten has raised alarms about Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, highlighting troubling trends in President Joe Biden’s approval ratings and increasing Republican registration in key states. He warned that if Donald Trump emerges victorious, the indicators will have been evident all along.
During a segment on CNN’s News Central with anchor John Berman, Enten referenced survey data on whether Americans feel the country is on the “right track.” He noted, “Historically, there has never been a situation where only 28% of Americans believed the country was headed in the right direction, and the incumbent party won. They always lose.” Currently, the public sentiment leans heavily toward discontent.
Enten cited findings from the Cook Political Report and his own analyses to support his claims.
He also mentioned that Republican registration is rising, narrowing the gap with Democrats. “If Republicans win next week, and Trump secures the victory, it will be clear the signs were present from the start,” Enten said.
On X (formerly Twitter), he emphasized, “If Trump wins, the signs were there all along,” and remarked that this election is the closest he has ever observed.
Recent polling from YouGov and the Economist reveals that only 25% of U.S. adults believe the country is “generally headed in the right direction,” with 64% feeling it’s “off on the wrong track.” Biden’s approval rating stands at 40%, with 55% disapproving, and similar findings show him at a 39.1% approval rate and a 55.7% disapproval score.
Enten added, “Joe Biden isn’t on the ballot, but he’s definitely on the minds of Americans.” Harris, in her campaign, has tried to distance herself from Biden, especially after his underwhelming debate performance against Trump. “Clearly I am not Joe Biden,” she has stated in response to discussions about policy differences, also suggesting that she would include a Republican in her cabinet as a notable distinction.
When asked if she would have approached the last four years differently, Harris told The View, “Not a thing comes to mind,” noting her involvement in most impactful decisions.
On a related note, Republican registration numbers have surged, notably outpacing Democrats in swing state Pennsylvania. Early voter turnout for Republicans has also increased this election cycle compared to 2020, indicating a potentially shifting political landscape.