WASHINGTON, D.C. – CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten highlighted new Gallup polling that points to a growing problem for Democrats: more voters now see the party as too far left. On “CNN News Central,” Enten told anchor Kate Bolduan that 58% of Americans say the Democratic Party is “too liberal.” That’s the highest figure Gallup has recorded.
Just as important, the share has risen for decades. In other words, this isn’t a one-year blip. It’s a long trend that keeps moving in the same direction.
During the segment, Enten said the numbers show the party’s left wing holds more sway. He also argued that this shift could bring political costs, because most voters say Democrats have gone too liberal.
Gallup’s trend line shows the steady climb:
- 42% in 1996
- 48% in 2013
- 58% in 2025
That’s a 10-point jump since 2013 and a 16-point increase since the mid-1990s. Enten stressed that the view isn’t limited to a small group. Instead, it reflects a broad slice of the electorate, including moderates and many independents.
Inside the Party: Democrats Are Labeling Themselves More Liberal
Enten also pointed to changes inside the Democratic Party itself. Compared with the late 1990s, more Democrats now place themselves on the liberal end of the spectrum. At the same time, fewer call themselves conservative.
Here’s what stood out in the data Enten discussed:
- “Very liberal” Democrats now sit at 21%, or about one in five party members.
- Liberal identification overall (somewhat liberal plus very liberal) adds up to around three in five Democrats.
- Conservative Democrats fell sharply, dropping from 26% in 1999 to 8% today. Enten joked about their disappearance with a quick “adios amigos, goodbye.”
Age also plays a big role. Younger Democrats lean further left than older voters in the party. Among Democrats under 35:
- 42% identify as democratic socialists.
- Across the whole party, about one-third use the same label.
Enten said that the far left used to be a small part of the coalition. Now, he believes it has more influence, including in primaries where progressive challengers push incumbents from the left.
Why the “Too Liberal” Label Matters for Elections
These numbers land at a sensitive time for Democrats. In recent cycles, the party has faced struggles with working-class voters, moderates, and swing-seat districts. If most Americans think Democrats have moved too far left, that perception can make rebuilding those coalitions harder.
Enten warned that the trend could lead to “electoral repercussions.” The issue isn’t only what policies Democrats support. It’s also how voters interpret the party’s direction.
Progressive priorities, such as bigger social programs, climate policy, and social justice efforts, energize the base. However, the Gallup results suggest the party’s image may be drifting away from where many voters sit.
Independents, along with center-leaning Democrats, appear especially uneasy. Also, with fewer conservative Democrats in the mix, the party has fewer internal voices that naturally speak to the middle. As a result, competitive races may get tougher in places where elections are decided by narrow margins.
Bigger Picture and What to Watch Next
The Gallup findings fit into a wider story of polarization in American politics. Republicans have seen their own ideological sorting, too. Still, Enten’s focus here stayed on Democrats and how quickly the public now sees the party moving left.
After the segment, Enten posted a clip online and summed up the takeaway in plain terms: 58% of voters say Democrats are too liberal, and one in three Democrats identify as democratic socialists.
With the 2026 midterms ahead, the message is clear. Democratic leaders may need to keep progressives engaged while also easing concerns among moderates. Voters often care most about day-to-day issues like the economy, public safety, and practical governance. If the party can’t close the image gap, the “too liberal” label could become a real drag at the ballot box.
For now, Enten’s analysis highlights a simple reality: a majority of Americans think Democrats have gone too far left, and that view could shape the party’s political fortunes in the next election cycle.
