Democratic belief that Sen. Bernie Sanders can win the nomination has surged and now over half feel that the Vermonter is at least “somewhat likely” to beat Hillary Clinton.
Rasmussen Reports revealed in a just-release survey that the view he could win has soared to 51 percent, up from 36 percent in September.
It is potentially the latest sign that Sanders is peaking at the right time in his battle with Clinton. His team certainly feels that way, having just sent out a cheering fundraising email seeking support before the Iowa Caucuses where he is just a couple of points behind the front-runner.
“We’re down just two points, but have an extraordinary amount of confidence that we can make up that margin on the strength of our overwhelming grassroots advantage over Hillary Clinton’s campaign,” emailed Jeff Weaver, Sanders’ campaign manager.
It’s still a tough fight, though. By comparison, Rasmussen Reports’ latest Hillary Meter shows that 83 percent of likely Democratic voters think Clinton will be nominee in 2016. But, added Rasmussen, “this includes just 43 percent who say it’s very likely, the first time this figure has fallen below 50 percent.”
Sanders has also surged among all likely voters, with 49 percent considering his nomination likely. That is a 10-point increase from September.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
