CNN's Harry Enten Highlights America's Most-Loved Founding Fathers, Reveals Revolutionary Figure Voters Still Reject

As the United States prepared to celebrate Independence Day and the nation's 250th anniversary, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten took a look at new polling examining how Americans view some of the country's most recognizable figures from the Revolutionary era.
Appearing Friday on CNN News Central, Enten embraced the holiday spirit by wearing an Uncle Sam hat while presenting net favorability ratings for several Founding Fathers and other prominent historical figures. The poll found that many of America's founding icons continue to enjoy overwhelming public support nearly 250 years after the nation was established.
Standing before CNN's signature big board, Enten revealed that Benjamin Franklin topped the list with the highest net favorability rating among those surveyed.
“Founding fathers net favorability rating, Benjamin Franklin taking the cake,” Enten said. “Look at that! Plus 75 points! George Washington at plus 68 points! And then of course you get Tommy Jefferson over here at plus 60 points.”
The analyst also took a moment to showcase one of his favorite pieces of American currency while discussing Thomas Jefferson.
“And I will note here, my dear friends, I got a nice $2 bill! I love $2 bills!” Enten said as he displayed the bill, which features Jefferson's portrait. “There we go. Right there right on your screen right there. So I'm a big fan of the $2 bill in part because, you know, Thomas Jefferson plus 60 points.”
After reviewing the survey's most popular historical figures, CNN anchor Sarah Sidner shifted the conversation to the least popular name included in the polling.
“Okay, which revolutionary figure are Americans not so hot on?” Sidner asked. “And this one you could easily guess if you know a single thing. It's like used as – the word slur is probably not the right thing – but it's used as a negative when the name is said.”
Enten responded by briefly adopting the voice of a Revolutionary-era observer before revealing the answer.
“'You know, I knew back in 1776 that Benedict was up to no good. If only they had listened to me,'” he joked.
Returning to his normal presentation, Enten pointed to the polling numbers showing Benedict Arnold with a net favorability rating 38 points below zero.
“Look at this, Benedict Arnold net favorability 38 points underwater,” he said. “We do not like traitors in this country, OK? We don't like traitors like Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold, no good. We hate him! 38 points underwater!”
He continued his playful commentary by declaring, “The least popular figure polled for a good reason. Benedict Arnold, get the heck out of here. We kick you out of here.”
Despite the country's deep political divisions, Enten also pointed to one issue where Americans from both major parties continue to find common ground: support for the Declaration of Independence.
“This brings Democrats and Republicans together; 90% of Democrats agree with that, 96% of Republicans,” Enten said. “In our divided times, what we can agree upon is we love the Founding Fathers and we love the document that they signed, you know, nearly 250 years ago.”
The polling presented by Enten suggested that while opinions on many modern political issues remain divided, Americans across the political spectrum continue to hold many of the nation's Founding Fathers in high regard as the country marks its historic milestone.