Clinton, Trump build support among primary voters
Joe Biden's decision not to stand will help Hillary Clinton.
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Hawke’s Bay
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have increased their popularity among the respective voting groups in the race for US presidential nominations.
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows Mrs Clinton has widened her lead over Senator Bernie Sanders among Democratic voters to 58% compared with 33% – a 10 percentage points better margin that the previous September poll.
Her position will be reinforced by Vice President Joe Biden's decision, announced today, not to enter the race.
Mr Trump remains the first choice of Republican primary voters, with 25% support, up from 21%. His nearest rival, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, is up marginally to 22% support, despite controversy over statements he made that an observant Muslim shouldn’t be a US president.
Both Messrs Trump and Carson are outsiders to professional politics but are well ahead of the next contender, Senator Marco Rubio, with 13%, up from 11% in the September poll.
Mrs Clinton’s surge must have forced Mr Biden out of the race. The poll finds just 30% of those who plan to vote in a Democratic primary say he should seek the nomination.
The poll also finds if Mr Biden were in the race, he would be the first choice of only 15% of Democratic primary voters, compared with 49% for Mrs Clinton and 29% for Senator Sanders.
Mr Biden, 73 next week, announced his decision at the White House, with President Obama and Mrs Biden at his side, citing family reasons. Mr and Mrs Biden are still grieving the loss of their son, Beau.
In the Republican camp, Senator Rubio has emerged as the only alternative to Messrs Trump and Carson as a representative of the political establishment.
Jeb Bush, who led the field back in June, draws only 8% in the latest poll alongside anti-establishment conservative Ted Cruz (9%) and businesswoman Carly Fiorina (7%).
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Nevil Gibson
Thu, 22 Oct 2015
Thu, 22 Oct 2015
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Clinton, Trump build support among primary voters
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