Clinton Still Leads all Likely Presidential Candidates

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got some good news in the latest public opinion survey.  Survey organizers wanted to know what Americans think about possible candidates for the presidency in 2016.  The same study shows that the Republican Party is likely to make gains in congressional elections later this year.

The latest survey numbers come from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.  It found that Hillary Clinton has a big lead against others likely to seek the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.  Fifty-eight percent of those asked said they support Hillary Clinton.  Eleven percent supported Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.  Vice President Joe Biden received nine percent.

The findings come as Mrs. Clinton continues to travel across the country as part of an advertising campaign for her new book, “Hard Choices.”  The book describes her time as secretary of state.  She has said she will decide whether to seek the presidency by early next year.

Tim Malloy is assistant director of the Quinnipiac poll.

“Hillary Clinton has weathered what some would say (are) bad book sales, some questions about her tenure at the State Department, some questions about what she defines as wealth, and yet she sweeps the Democratic field in the 2016 race.”

The poll also shows her easily defeating several men who may seek the presidential nomination of the Republican Party.  They include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

The Quinnipiac survey did not find a clear leader among the possible Republican candidates.  Eleven percent of those asked said they support Rand Paul.  Chris Christie, Mike Huckabee and Jeb Bush each received 10 percent.

Tim Malloy says no one Republican seems to be the clear favorite.  He says this is not unusual two years before a presidential election.

Members of Congress are more concerned about the congressional elections in November.  American voters will be electing all 435 members of the House of Representatives.  They will also fill 36 of the 100 seats in the Senate.  Currently, Republicans control the House, while Democrats have a majority in the Senate.

Tim Malloy says the poll found that, if the election were held today, voters would elect Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate.

Most political observers predict that Republicans will hold their majority in the House.  And they say Republicans have an excellent chance of gaining the six seats they need in the Senate to take control away from the Democrats.

The approval ratings of President Barack Obama have been low in recent weeks.  But Tim Malloy says the survey does not include a small improvement in how Americans feel about the economy.  He says that could help Democratic candidates in November.

I’m Jonathan Evans.