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 saythat John Fetterman is doing aswell with Pennsylvania Democratsas the New York Giants are asliked in the state of Pennsylvania, the commonwealthof Pennsylvania," Enten said. "I mean, justlook 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 athow low he has fallen, down to minus-40 points. He's down therewith the Titanic among Democratsin the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and, you know, put acomparison point on it."
"You know,we always talk about how [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer is not well liked by theDemocratic base nationwide," Enten added. "Chuck Schumer has a netpopularity rating of about minus-two points. He is 38 points morepopular than John Fetterman iswith Pennsylvania Democrats, andI was also looking at Kyrsten Sinema, who, of course, ended upleaving the Democratic Party in Arizona. She was considerablymore popular just before sheshifted over than John Fettermanis, 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 aminute, 108-point swing, younever see anything like that," Enten said. "But my goodness gracious. Imean, just take a look here, okay, 2000s senators on party netratings about when they lost aprimary. Bob Smith plus-15, Arlen Specter plus-13 – of course, heswitched parties to the Democrats.It didn't work for him as aRepublican. Plus-six Joe Lieberman, Dick Lugar was atzero points. Lisa Murkowski wasat minus-15 points. All of these wereconsiderably more popular than John Fetterman is right now at minus-40 points. He is below thelowest, the ones who actuallygot 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 isno historical analog to this," Enten said. "That is how unpopular John Fetterman is with Pennsylvania Democrats. There is basically nodoubt in my mind that Fettermandecides to run for re-election asa Democrat, he will face aprimary challenge and will be avery competitive one."
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