'Really astonishing': Elections expert gobsmacked by new polls for Dems

Democrats have built a tremendous lead among independents, Carrie Dann of the Cook Political Report told CNN's Kasie Hunt on Thursday's edition of "The Arena."

"[Your outlet] has this new poll of battleground House districts that's giving us an idea of where control the fight for control of the House stands at this moment," said Hunt. "What are you learning about independents and nonaffiliated voters and where they are?"

"So sort of the most striking thing, I think, in this poll was in the generic ballot, Democrats have a lead of six points," said Dann. "These are 36 districts that are going to control, matter for the House, of the control of the House. Donald Trump won these districts in 2024 by two points. So that's a really dramatic swing for voters overall."

This change, she said, is "being fueled by independents."

"Democrats are winning independents by 25 points," she continued. "That is a really astonishing number for independents. And you know what? It's not because they like Democrats. They hate Democrats. They hate Republicans too. And they hate Donald Trump. Their disapproval of Donald Trump in this poll was 70 percent. That's very high. They also hate Democrats. But yet when they are asked about issues, whether it is the economy, whether it is ICE enforcement, whether it is cost of living, whether it is taxes, they're picking Democrats by a significant margin."

"The only issue that Republicans still have an edge with, with independents or with voters overall, is border security," Dann added.

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