In an early look at the 2016 presidential campaign, a new poll shows former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton comfortably ahead of Republicans Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, while her potential rival for the Democratic nomination, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, wouldn’t fair as well.
Results of a Quinnipiac University poll released Friday show Mrs. Clinton leading Mr. Paul, 49 percent to 41 percent; and Mr. Bush, 48 percent to 40 percent. But Mr. Biden trails Mr. Paul, 43 percent to 39 percent; and Mr. Bush, 44 percent to 38 percent.
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In the hypothetical race between Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Bush, she carries Democrats 92 percent to 3 percent, but loses Republicans 82-8 percent and splits independent voters 42-43 percent. She wins women 55 percent to 35 percent, but loses men 45 percent to 40 percent.
Fifty-two percent of survey respondents view Mrs. Clinton favorably, while 40 percent perceive her negatively, the poll says. That’s down from a 61 percent to 34 percent favorable/unfavorable rating in a Feb. 8 survey by the independent pollster.
Favorability ratings for the other possible 2016 presidential contenders are:
• Mr. Biden: 37 percent favorable to 44 unfavorable, with 19 percent undecided.
• Mr. Paul: 32 percent favorable to 24 percent unfavorable, with 42 percent undecided.
• Mr. Bush: 29 percent favorable to 29 percent unfavorable, with 42 percent undecided.
