Poll: Clinton Maintains Slight Edge Over Trump
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Hillary Clinton has a slight edge overall over Donald Trump, according to the latest Quinnipiac University Poll which found that the former first lady led when it came to brains and morals, but the real estate billionaire trumped her on leadership skills.
The latest polling numbers found Clinton had a small 45 – 41 percent lead over Trump in the race for president. However, when third party candidates were added to the mix Clinton's edge dropped to a 40 - 38 percent lead over Trump which is too close to call. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson got 5 percent and Green Party candidate Jill Stein got 3 percent.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont leads Trump among all American voters 48 – 39 percent, but trails Clinton among Democrats 53 – 39 percent.
In a Clinton-Trump matchup, men go Republican 51 – 35 percent, while women go Democratic 54 – 30 percent. Republicans back Trump 86 – 4 percent and Democrats back Clinton 90 – 6 percent. Independent voters are divided, with 40 percent for Trump and 37 percent for Clinton.
"This is a very tight race that will divide Democrats and Republicans, the young and the old, white, black and Hispanic voters – and husbands and wives – in the months ahead," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll in a statement. "American voters don't like either one of the front-runners. The question could be who we dislike the least."
American voters gave Clinton a 57 percent "very unfavorable" or "strongly unfavorable" rating, with 37 percent "strongly favorable" or "somewhat favorable."
Trump got a 59 percent "somewhat unfavorable" or "strongly unfavorable" rating, with 34 percent strongly favorable" or "somewhat favorable."
American voters said 56 – 35 percent that Clinton is better prepared to be president than Trump; 51 – 37 percent that she is more intelligent and 47 – 36 percent that she has higher moral standards.
Trump led 44 – 39 percent when it came to being more honest and trustworthy; 49 – 45 percent said that he is a stronger leader and 48 – 39 percent thought he was more inspiring.
Voters say 47 – 39 percent that they would rather invite Trump to a backyard barbecue, but 47 – 41 percent that they would turn to Clinton during a personal crisis.
The poll was conducted from May 24th to 30th. It has a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points.