CNN data expert astounded by stunning collapse of Democrat: 'No doubt' he'll be primaried
CNN's Harry Enten zeroed in on a Democratic senator who will "no doubt" face a primary challenge, and history suggests he will likely lose.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) has seen a stunning reversal in his support from his own party's voters since he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2023, and Enten told "CNN News Central" that he has never seen an elected official lose backing so dramatically.
"I would just say that John Fetterman is doing as well with Pennsylvania Democrats as the New York Giants are as liked in the state of Pennsylvania, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Enten said. "I mean, just look at this: Among Pennsylvania Democrats and that approval of Fetterman, back in 2023, he was a Democrat, liberal darling. He was at plus-68 points. Look at how low he has fallen, down to minus-40 points. He's down there with the Titanic among Democrats in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and, you know, put a comparison point on it."
"You know, we always talk about how [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer is not well liked by the Democratic base nationwide," Enten added. "Chuck Schumer has a net popularity rating of about minus-two points. He is 38 points more popular than John Fetterman is with Pennsylvania Democrats, and I was also looking at Kyrsten Sinema, who, of course, ended up leaving the Democratic Party in Arizona. She was considerably more popular just before she shifted over than John Fetterman is, at minus-40 points."
Anchor John Berman marveled at Fetterman's drop. "This is 108-point swing," he said, and asked Enten what bearing that might have on his fortunes when he faces re-election in two years.
"Wait a minute, 108-point swing, you never see anything like that," Enten said. "But my goodness gracious. I mean, just take a look here, okay, 2000s senators on party net ratings about when they lost a primary. Bob Smith plus-15, Arlen Specter plus-13 – of course, he switched parties to the Democrats. It didn't work for him as a Republican. Plus-six Joe Lieberman, Dick Lugar was at zero points. Lisa Murkowski was at minus-15 points. All of these were considerably more popular than John Fetterman is right now at minus-40 points. He is below the lowest, the ones who actually got beat in a primary."
Murkowski lost Alaska's Republican primary in 2010 but was re-elected as a write-in candidate, and she continues to serve in the Senate.
"There is no historical analog to this," Enten said. "That is how unpopular John Fetterman is with Pennsylvania Democrats. There is basically no doubt in my mind that Fetterman decides to run for re-election as a Democrat, he will face a primary challenge and will be a very competitive one."
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