CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten delivered a sharp critique of the current landscape for Democratic presidential hopefuls in 2028, labeling the field as a ‘clown car’ and warning that the lack of a clear frontrunner could lead to a chaotic primary race.

Disjointed Leadership in Democratic Race

During a Tuesday morning appearance on CNN, Enten analyzed the latest polling data and found that no candidate has emerged as a definitive leader in the Democratic primary race. California Governor Gavin Newsom leads the pack with 19%, followed by former Vice President Kamala Harris at 18%, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at 13%, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 12%.

Enten described the situation as a ‘total clown car,’ emphasizing that the lack of a clear frontrunner is unusual for the Democratic Party, which typically sees a dominant candidate emerge well before the general election cycle.

‘Top choices for the 2028 Dem prez nominee — you have a leader, but it’s not really a clear leader as it’s in the margin of error,’ Enten said. ‘Newsom at 19%. Then you have former Vice President Kamala Harris at 18% — a weak number for her, considering she ran last time around. Pete Buttigieg, who, of course, has run before at 13%. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 12%. This is a total clown car,’ Enten said.

Historical Parallels to 1992 Election

Enten noted that the current Democratic field mirrors the 1992 election cycle, which was marked by a lack of consensus and ultimately resulted in Bill Clinton’s victory over a fractured field that included former President George H.W. Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot.

‘This is very unusual for the Democratic Party to not have a frontrunner at this point,’ Enten said, adding that the last time the party entered a presidential cycle without a clear leader was in 1992. ‘That year, the eventual winner, Bill Clinton, was not the favorite going into the race,’ he explained.

Enten also expressed skepticism about Newsom’s viability, stating that the California governor is ‘flailing’ and that the public is ‘less interested’ in him. ‘Newsom’s numbers are not translating into real momentum,’ he said, suggesting that the governor’s national appeal may be waning despite his high approval ratings in California.

Implications for the 2028 Race

The current state of the Democratic field raises questions about the party’s ability to coalesce around a single candidate in the coming years. With multiple high-profile figures vying for the nomination, Enten warned that the race could become highly contentious, potentially leading to a protracted primary season.

‘The absence of a clear leader could lead to a situation where multiple candidates receive significant support, making it difficult to unite the party behind a single nominee,’ Enten said. ‘This could have real-world implications for the general election, as a fractured Democratic base could make it easier for the Republican nominee to win in a close race.’

Analysts suggest that the current polling data may not be indicative of the eventual nominee, as many of the current candidates have yet to announce their campaigns or fully engage in the race. Enten emphasized that the data reflects current sentiment but does not account for the impact of future events, such as debates, scandals, or economic shifts.

‘We’re still in the early stages of the 2028 cycle, and the landscape could change dramatically by the time the primary season begins,’ Enten said. ‘But right now, it’s a clown car, and that’s not a good sign for the Democratic Party.’