{
  "id": 12245824,
  "title": "Democratic Support Hits Highest Level Since Obama's First Term: Poll",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/democratic-support-hits-highest-level-since-obamas-first-term-poll",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T22:26:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-midterms-elections-support-poll-recession-races-12526693"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More Americans are identifying as Democrats than at any time since the first years of the Obama administration, according to a Gallup poll less than a month before the midterm elections. Fifty percent of those polled either identified as Democrats or leaned that way, compared to 39 percent for the Republican Party. This surge in Democratic support is surprising, as the party has struggled to win over voters in other national polls in recent months.\n\nStephen Ansolabehere, a professor of government at Harvard University, explained that when a party is doing well in a given year, the proportion of people who lean towards that party increases in the months leading up to the election. However, this trend may not be reflected in actual voting behavior. The Democratic National Committee spokesperson expressed confidence in the party's message, citing the rejection of Trump's agenda and a desire to win over voters across the country.\n\nRepublican National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre dismissed the poll, claiming it \"underestimates support for Republicans\" and accusing \"liberal rags\" of taking \"the bait.\" Both parties remain entrenched in the U.S. Congress, so the shift in party affiliation may not have a direct impact on the election results. However, the high percentage of Democrats (50%) is noteworthy, as it matches the level seen during Obama's first term in 2009.\n\nWhile Democrats have not seen a significant improvement in their overall approval ratings, the increasing likelihood of voters preferring Democrats over Republicans highlights the Republican brand's unpopularity among swing voters. Recent polling shows that Trump's disapproval rating for the economy is on par with George W. Bush's handling of the economy at the end of his term, despite the current administration's efforts to downplay rising prices. The high Democratic support in this poll suggests that the public may be increasingly dissatisfied with the GOP, potentially benefiting the Democratic Party in the upcoming midterm elections.",
  "summary": "Half of Americans now identify as Democratic, or at least leaning that way, with less than a month before Election Day.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}