ClintonStill Leads all Likely Presidential Candidates

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

The latest survey numbers come from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Itfound that Hillary Clinton has a big lead against others likely to seek thepresidential nomination of the Democratic Party. Fifty-eight percent of thoseasked said they support Hillary Clinton. Eleven percent supportedMassachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Vice President Joe Biden receivednine percent.

 

The findings come as Mrs. Clinton continues to travel across the country aspart of an advertising campaign for her new book, “Hard Choices.” The bookdescribes her time as secretary of state. She has said she will decidewhether 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 questionsabout 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 thepresidential nomination of the Republican Party. They include New JerseyGovernor Chris Christie, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, former ArkansasGovernor Mike Huckabee and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

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

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

Members of Congress are more concerned about the congressional electionsin November. American voters will be electing all 435 members of the Houseof 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, voterswould elect Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate.

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

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

I’m Jonathan Evans.