Bernie Sanders is surging in early Democratic primary states, and Hillary Clinton is taking notice.
During a Monday campaign event in Cedar Falls, Iowa, Clinton admitted that the self-described socialist Sanders is “doing a great job” thus far in the 2016 race following the release of more polls showing Sanders topping her in both Iowa and New Hampshire.
Clinton was asked what she thinks of Sanders’ policy prescription. She dodged that, and instead said that Democrats would have plenty of time to hear debates and decide who the best candidate is.
“I don’t have any issue whatsoever in having a really good strong contest for the Democratic nomination,” Clinton said when asked about Sanders. “He’s doing a great job, and the others who are out there are working hard and, you know, we’re going to have some debates, and we’ll be able to talk about where we agree and where we disagree, and I think that’ll help voters make up their minds.”
Although recent polls show Clinton maintaining her lead in national polls, Sanders continues to maintain his lead in New Hampshire, while topping her in the Hawkeye State as well.
According to the latest CBS/YouGov polls of the two early primary states, Sanders has upped his lead to 22 points over the former secretary of state in New Hampshire (52 percent to 30 percent) and has overtaken her in Iowa (43 percent to 33 percent). However, Clinton continues to hold on to her lead nationwide with a 42 percent-24 percent advantage over Sanders, according to the latest ABC/Washington Post poll. Vice President Joe Biden also rakes in 21 percent in the poll despite not being a declared candidate at this point.
