
CNN’s chief data analyst, Harry Enten, recently detailed polls that show the number of Americans who self-identify as liberal has reached a 50-year high.
“When I was a kid, liberal was a four-letter word,” Enten said. “Nobody wanted to identify as liberal.” But now, he said, “More folks are identifying as liberal than at any point since the Gerald Ford administration.”
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He said in 1996, conservatives had a 22-point lead over liberals when it comes to self-ID’ing. Now, that lead is only 7 points.
Enten gave one big reason for this: “Democrats, Democrats, Democrats.”
He explained that these days, Democrats are much more willing to identify themselves as liberal. In 1976, only 30% called themselves liberal. Now, 59% do.
“It might’ve used to be that the Democratic party was almost more moderate, conservative… This Democratic Party is a liberal party,” Enten declared.
Enten also shared current projections for the midterms, which are leaning heavily toward Democrats. Prediction markets give Democrats a 77% chance of taking back the House, he said, which is up from 74% just a month ago.
Liberal used to be a four-letter word in this country, but no longer.
— (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 13, 2026
The % of Americans identifying as liberal is at a 50-year high. Most Dems now say they're liberal (59%), a 50-year high too.
Also, the Dem lead on party id is even bigger than at this pt in the 2018 cycle! pic.twitter.com/wriMxybqVG