Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has an early lock on the Iowa Democratic nomination, a new poll has found.
According to a
Quinnipiac University poll conducted April 25-May 4 of 692 likely Iowa Democratic Caucus participants, 60 percent say they would choose Clinton. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders comes in a distant second with 15 percent, while Vice President Joe Biden has 11 percent.
In the poll in February, Clinton had 61 percent support, suggesting that the recent negative publicity over her use of a private email server and Clinton Foundation donations had not impacted her popularity in the state.
"One thing is obvious about Iowa Democratic Caucus participants: They are loyal as the day is long, at least when it comes to Hillary Clinton," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll, in a statement.
"The former secretary of state has taken a major pounding in the news media and from her political opponents over her email and family foundation. So far these criticisms have had absolutely no effect on her standing among Iowa Democrats."
Nevertheless, 7 percent of those questioned say they would "definitely not support" her. The same percentage says so about Biden, while Sanders gets 6 percent.
"Four in 10 Iowa likely Democratic Caucus participants aren't convinced about Clinton, but there is no candidate who appears to have the political and financial resources at this time to successfully take her on," Brown said.
"Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont finished second in the caucus-goer poll, but that may reflect the news he was going to make the race, much of which occurred while this poll was being taken."
Clinton's favorability figures are also strong, with 83 percent of respondents saying they have a positive opinion of her. Seventy percent say that her positions on the issues are "about right," 93 percent say she has strong leadership qualities, and 83 percent say she cares about their needs and problems.
"One other thing is slightly less obvious but interesting: By more than four-to-one, 76–17 percent, Iowa caucus-goers say Clinton is honest and trustworthy."
"When Quinnipiac University surveyed all Iowa voters last month, it found 49-43 percent they saw her as not honest and trustworthy. When it comes to analyzing Clinton's 2016 standing, it is important to keep straight who is talking," Brown added.
Biden also has high favorability ratings among Iowa Democrats at 79 percent, while 75 percent say his positions on the issues are "about right." And 76 percent say he has strong leadership qualities while 85 percent believe he cares about their needs and problems."
The poll also found that former Sen. James Webb of Virginia and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley each have 3 percent support.
Seven percent of those surveyed are undecided.
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