Sanders Would Defeat GOP Field; Clinton Ties or Trails: Poll

[Purveyor]

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders would fare better than rival Democrat Hillary Clinton against Republican White House contenders in general election matchups, a Quinnipiac national poll shows.

* Sanders tops Donald Trump 48%-42%, Sen. Ted Cruz 49%–39%, Sen. Marco Rubio 47%–41%, Jeb Bush 49%–39% John
Kasich 45%–41%

* In virtual ties, Clinton has 44% to 43% for Trump; Bush has 44% to her 43%
Clinton trails Cruz 46%-43%, Rubio 48%-41%, Kasich 47%-39%

* If ex-NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg enters race as third-party candidate in race featuring Sanders as Democratic nominee and
Trump or Cruz as GOP contenders, Bloomberg would hurt Sanders more than either Republican, poll finds

* In that scenario, Sanders and Trump tie with 38% apiece, with 12% for Bloomberg; Sanders would top Cruz 39%–33%,
with 14% for Bloomberg

* NOTE: Bloomberg told Financial Times earlier this month he is considering independent bid; NY Times reported he’s more likely
to run if Sanders and Trump emerge as likely nominees

* NOTE: Bloomberg is founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP

* NOTE: Poll of 1,342 registered voters conducted Feb. 10-15; margin of error +/-2.7 ppts

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/trackers/2016-02-18/sanders-would-defeat-gop-field-clinton-ties-or-trails-poll

[BillZBubb]

1. This is a case where name recognition hurts Hillary.

She just isn't popular with independents. That could have devastating consequences if she gets the Democratic nomination.

By the same token, Bernie is still relatively unknown. As the republicans turn their guns on him, his numbers will drop as they peel off moderate (really conservative) independents.