CNN's latest poll shows that despite the Democratic Party's clear lead in voter mobilization, the party faces generally negative perceptions both internally and externally, which could undermine its potential advantages in the 2026 midterm elections. 72% of Democratic supporters report being highly engaged in voting preparations, significantly higher than the 50% of Republicans, indicating strong grassroots momentum for the Democrats. However, the national favorability of the Democratic Party stands at only 28%, marking the lowest record in CNN surveys since 1992, and support for current congressional members among young Democrats is low, with only half believing they deserve re-election. In contrast, independent voters, while slightly leaning towards the Democrats, express general dissatisfaction with both parties, with over 60% believing that complete Republican governance is harmful to the country. Furthermore, despite Trump not being on the ballot, his influence remains deeply rooted within the Republican Party. 37% of American adults identify as 'Trump supporters', with those who have purchased his products showing stronger voting intentions and high approval of his governance, indicating that the 'Trump brand' has become a highly loyal political identity label. The problem facing the Democratic Party is that while mobilization is strong, the foundation is unstable, especially among young voters and independents where overwhelming identification is difficult to achieve.
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