CNNs 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. Related AOC says rising healthcare costs are funding ICE: You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs He said in 1996, conservatives had a 22-point lead over liberals when it comes to self-IDing. 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 mightve 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.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 (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) January 13, 2026