A national poll released Monday finds former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton an overwhelming favorite to win the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, while Republicans remain heavily divided on who they want to see as their candidate.
Clinton tops the CNN/ORC poll with almost two-thirds of Democrats in her corner in 2016. With the support of 65 percent of those surveyed, Clinton, who ran for president against Barack Obama in a close primary in 2008, has a clear lead over her potential Democratic rivals.
Vice President Joe Biden places a distant second behind Clinton with 10 percent. Over the weekend, Biden visited Iowa, home of the first presidential caucus, to attend a Democratic event. Biden ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988 and 2008.
While Biden has placed second behind Clinton in most national polls, he could be hearing footsteps as U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is within striking distance of overtaking him. Warren stands third in the poll with 7 percent. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York is right behind her in fourth with 6 percent.
Gov. Martin OMalley of Maryland lags behind with 2 percent, while 4 percent are backing other candidates.
The poll of 448 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents was taken from Sept. 6-8 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.
The poll finds things are much less clear on the Republican side. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey has the lead with 17 percent with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, best known for being Mitt Romneys running mate in 2012, right on his heels with 16 percent. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., takes third with 13 percent.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida is in fourth with 10 percent. Two freshman senators -- Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida -- are tied in fifth with 9 percent apiece.
Two conservatives who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 lag behind. Gov. Rick Perry of Texas takes 6 percent, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, 5 percent. Six percent back other candidates.
The poll of 452 Republicans and GOP-leaning independents was taken from Sept. 6-8 and had a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinDerbySSN.
