A CNN data analyst is sounding the alarm on the state of the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential field, describing it as a “downright clown car” and a “total mess” with no obvious leader emerging — a dynamic he admitted is “very unusual,” even this early in the cycle.
During a segment with anchor John Berman, CNN’s Harry Enten laid out a striking picture of a party struggling to coalesce around a standard-bearer. The conversation began with discussion of California Governor Gavin Newsom, long viewed as a potential 2028 contender, who made headlines this week after critics “seized” on remarks he made during a book tour stop in Atlanta and accused him of racism. Newsom dismissed the backlash as “fake outrage,” but the broader political implications appear to linger.
From there, Enten pivoted to the early numbers in the Democratic primary contest — and the results were far from reassuring for party insiders.
“They’re all running and this is just a downright clown car at this point on the Democratic side,” Enten said, pointing to early polling figures that show Newsom leading with just 19%. Close behind is former Vice President Kamala Harris at 18%, a figure Enten described as “quite a weak number for her, given that of course, she was the nominee last time around.”
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg follows at 13%, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York registers at 12%. With no candidate even cracking 20% by a significant margin — and none approaching 25% — Enten made clear that this kind of fragmentation is not typical.
“This is just a total clown car. It is a total mess. There is no clear frontrunner at this particular point on the Democratic side. Who the heck knows who the nominee is going to be in two years?” he said.
Enten underscored just how rare this situation is historically. According to him, one would have to look all the way back to the 1992 election cycle to find a similar moment when Democrats lacked a clear leader at this stage in the race. “You have to go all the way back… to 1992,” he noted, emphasizing that it has been decades since Democrats found themselves so unsettled so early.
The scrutiny did not stop there. Enten also pointed to prediction market data suggesting that Newsom’s standing has slipped in recent months. Three months ago, the market gave Newsom a 37% chance of securing the nomination. That figure has now fallen to 28%.
“Down he goes,” Enten said. “He’s definitely flailing a little bit.”
Interest in Newsom appears to be cooling more broadly as well. Enten cited Google search data showing that searches for the California governor are down 63% from their August peak, when he had ramped up online attacks against President Donald Trump.
“Maybe that interest is waning off just a little bit,” Enten concluded, noting there is still time before voters ultimately decide. But for now, the Democratic field appears crowded, fractured, and without a commanding figure — an unusual and potentially troubling sign for a party looking ahead to 2028.
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