A new poll finds presidential candidates in 2016 would do well to compare their opponents to Barack Obama and George W. Bush. But maybe Hillary Clinton should consider showcasing her connections to her husband. Republican hopefuls, meanwhile, would be wise to compare themselves to Ronald Reagan.
Rasmussen Reports released a poll Tuesday that finds almost a majority of likely voters believe comparing a candidate to Obama or Bush is an attack. Being compared to Obama is a negative for 47 percent of those surveyed while 48 percent said the same thing about Bush.
Less than a third of those surveyed -- 29 percent -- say being compared to Obama is positive. Less than a quarter of those surveyed -- 24 percent -- think a candidate being compared to Bush is a plus.
The poll finds both men remain in solid shape with their respective parties, with 53 percent of Democrats thinking a comparison to Obama is positive; 50 percent of Republicans think being compared to Bush is a positive.
While the poll shows Americans hold Obama and Bush in low regard, it also finds voters remain high on two other recent presidents. A majority -- 51 percent -- believe a candidate being compared to former President Ronald Reagan is a positive. Only 25 percent think being a candidate compared to Reagan is a negative.
The poll finds former President Bill Clinton well-regarded by the American public, with 41 percent saying its a good thing to be compared to him, though 31 percent think it isn't.
According to the poll, both Reagan and Bill Clinton are in excellent shape with their respective political parties. An overwhelming majority of Republicans -- 85 percent -- say a candidate being compared to Reagan is a positive. Almost three-fourths of Democrats -- 72 percent -- say the same about a candidate being compared to Bill Clinton. With Hillary Clinton expected to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, her husband is expected to be active on the campaign trail.
Bill Clinton was active for Obama during his successful re-election in 2012.
The poll of 1,000 likely voters was taken from Nov. 23-24 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
