More Iowa Democrats say they support Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in a new Quinnipiac poll of likely caucusgoers. According to the poll, 41 percent say they support Sanders, the Vermont senator, with 40 percent supporting Clinton, the former secretary of state and New York senator. In addition, 12 percent say they are supporting Vice President Joe Biden, who is not yet in the race.
The poll shows a drastic shift in Clinton’s Iowa fortunes from a July 2 Quinnipiac survey, which found she had 52 percent support to Sanders’s 33 percent.
Here’s more from Quinnipiac:
Sanders and Biden have a higher net favorability rating than Clinton and higher ratings for honesty and empathy. Clinton has the best scores for leadership and temperament to handle an international crisis.
“Sen. Bernie Sanders has become the Eugene McCarthy of 2016,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. “He is the candidate of the Democratic left, against his own party’s bosses and their prized presidential candidate, Secretary Hillary Clinton.
“Sanders has seized the momentum by offering a message more in line with disproportionately liberal primary and caucus voters.”
Clinton’s lead in the Real Clear Politics average of Iowa polls is down to just 11 points, and this is the first poll showing Sanders leading Clinton in the Hawkeye State. Sanders has led Clinton in the RCP average of New Hampshire polls since August 25, but Clinton maintains a stronger (though falling) lead nationally.
