A series of events in October had the press declaring Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton a “winner,” but her hot streak hasn’t done anything to improve her negatives with the electorate.
Voters continue to have a net negative impression of the former secretary of State, according to an NBC/Wall Street Journal survey released this week. Forty-seven percent of surveyed voters said they view Clinton negatively, while only 40 percent said they had a positive view of the Democratic presidential candidate.
In a bright spot for Clinton, the poll found that she has increased in her standing among registered Democrats. But most voters still seem to be wary of Clinton.
“A broader set of questions about her professional and personal attributes found that just 27 percent of voters rated her highly on being honest and straightforward – roughly the same as in the earlier poll,” the Wall Street Journal reported.
MSNBC’s Chuck Todd noted her bad negatives this week. “We are seeing a polarized view of Hillary Clinton staring us in the face,” he said.
Democratic pollster Fred Yang said of the results, “The voters admire her for her knowledge and experience, while their doubts center around integrity, likability and being an agent for change.”
“She has regained her commanding position with Democrats,” he added. “[Yet] despite arguably her best few weeks of the campaign starting with the Las Vegas debate, [she] shows little upward movement” with the broader electorate.
Clinton’s hot streak started when Vice President Joe Biden announced suddenly on Oct. 21 that he wouldn’t run for president. The press immediately declared Clinton the big winner.
“Joe Biden decides against presidential bid, a big boost to Hillary Clinton,” the Los Angeles Times reported. Poynter added, “Joe Biden post-mortem: Clinton wins, media loses.”
The day after Biden’s announcement, Clinton appeared before Select Committee on Benghazi to answer questions about her involvement in the events surrounding the Sept. 11, 2012, terrorist attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. Her ability to sit through nearly 10 hours of lawmakers’ questions had reporters again declaring her a winner.
“The Daily 202: Eight reasons Hillary Clinton won the Benghazi hearing,” the Washington Post said in a headline.
Later that same month, Clinton, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., former Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., and former Govs. Martin O’Malley of Maryland and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, appeared on CNN for the first televised Democratic primary debate. The press was again unanimous: Clinton won.
“Clinton won the debate — Biden lost it,” said Politico. Slate added, “Hillary Clinton won the CNN debate with a surprisingly spectacular performance.”
“CNN/ORC poll: Hillary Clinton wins debate, but Bernie Sanders rises,” CNN reported.
But while Clinton is easily the Democratic front-runner, the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows there are still some serious trust issues, and signs that not everyone has bought the press’ glowing reviews.
