Quinnipiac Poll: Sanders 49, Hillary 45

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading Hillary Clinton 49 to 45 percent in Iowa, with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley taking 4 percent, a new Quinnipiac University poll finds.

The poll puts the two frontrunners in a statistical tie, with the poll's margin of error at +/- 4 percent.

The results mirror a January 12 survey, the pollsters said.

However,  there is room for surprises in Iowa. Some 2 percent of likely Democratic voters are undecided and 19 percent of those who name a candidate say they might change their mind.

The poll shows:

• The gender gap remains as men back Sanders 63 – 32 percent, while women back Clinton 54 – 40 percent.
• Likely Democratic Caucus participants 18 to 44 years old back Sanders over Clinton 78 – 21 percent.
• Clinton is ahead 53 – 39 percent among voters 45 to 64 years old and 71 – 21 percent among voters over 65 years old.

“Perhaps more than other contests, the Iowa caucuses are all about turnout. If those young, very liberal Democratic Caucus participants show up Monday and are organized, it will be a good night for Sen. Sanders,” Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll said.  “And if Sanders does win Iowa, that could keep a long-shot nomination scenario alive.”