CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten on Monday highlighted polling showing Republicans holding a net +5 favorability rating heading into the 2026 midterms under a GOP president — a sharp contrast to historical patterns.
The CBS News/CNN data marks the first time in recent cycles that the president’s party enters midterms with a positive net favorability. Enten pointed out that Democrats held +18 in 2006 and +12 in 2018 when facing Republican White House incumbents.
“Republicans actually AHEAD by 5 points!” Enten said. “Democrats are running BEHIND their previous benchmarks.”
The numbers come as Republicans defend their congressional majorities next November. Conservative commentator Eric Daugherty, sharing the clip, urged House and Senate GOP leaders to pass the SAVE Act to lock in the momentum on election integrity and turnout.
Watch the clip below:
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Even CNN was just forced to report that REPUBLICANS are leading net favorability by +5 points ahead of the 2026 midterms
That is HUGE, given in 2018, Democrats were +12
"Look at this. Party ahead, midterm year with GOP president? Republicans actually AHEAD by 5… pic.twitter.com/CgfJqWYezB
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 6, 2026
