Vermont senator and self-described socialist Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., widened his lead in New Hampshire, surging 9 points ahead of rival Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
A new NBC News/Marist poll showed that Sanders is now at 41 percentage points to Hillary Clinton’s 32, a reversal of Clinton’s July lead. A July poll by the same group showed Clinton up 13 points (47 percent to 34 percent,) and earlier in the year she had a 56-point lead in the Granite state.
The results of the poll also found Sanders enjoys the highest favorability among potential New Hampshire Democratic primary voters, with 79 percent, while 76 percent approve of vice president Joe Biden. In the poll, a Biden candidacy received 16 percent of the vote. Without Biden running, Sanders’ lead in New Hampshire widens (49 percent-38 percent.)
Former Secretary of State Clinton enjoys a still sizable 69 percent approval rating.
Sanders has turned what was thought to be a quixotic candidacy into a genuine competition with Clinton, especially in the Granite State, where Sanders’ appeal and organization is strongest.
