Clinton Takes Lead On Trump In New Poll
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - In the first CBS News Poll since last week's presidential debate, Hillary Clinton has edged ahead to a four-point lead over her Republican rival Donald Trump among likely voters.
This poll, conducted from September 28th to -October 2nd, found 45% of likely voters support or lean towards Clinton, while 41% support Trump. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson got 8% of likely voters, while Green Party candidate Jill Stein received just 3% of the vote.
In a head to head match-up without third party candidates, Clinton leads Trump by six points. Before the debate the two leading candidates were tied in a four-person race at 42% each.
Eight in 10 of both Trump and Clinton supporters said they will be upset and worry about the future of the country if the other candidate becomes president.
While overall views of the candidates remain negative, Clinton's favorable rating has increased a bit to 39% -- the highest since July of last year.
Clinton has also improved in some areas considered key to being the next Commander in Chief. More now see her as having the right temperament (59%) and being prepared to be president (63%) than at any time during the campaign. Trump's numbers have held steady on these measures and continue to be negative. But he is seen as best able to handle the economy and bring change.
Voters nationwide, including most women voters, are more likely to say Clinton (72%) rather than Trump (41%) cares about the needs and problems of women.
As for Clinton and Trump's picks for Vice President, voters are more likely than not to think each of these candidates could serve effectively as President if they needed to step into the job. Tim Kaine and Mike Pence get similar marks: 37% think Kaine has the ability to do so and 41% say that about Pence. A size-able percentage of voters don't have an opinion.
Overall, the 2016 Vice Presidential candidates remain largely unknown to voters nationwide, but both have net positive ratings, unlike the candidates at the top of the ticket.