Bernie Sanders has 10-point lead over Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire: poll

Sen. Bernard Sanders has a 10-point lead on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the early state of New Hampshire in the race for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, according to a new poll.

Mr. Sanders has a 10-point, 50 percent to 40 percent lead over Mrs. Clinton in the state, according to the CNN/WMUR poll released Wednesday. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley was at 1 percent.

In September, Mr. Sanders had led Mrs. Clinton by 16 points in the poll, 46 percent to 30 percent.

In the poll out this week, Mr. Sanders had an 83 percent/4 percent favorable/unfavorable rating split, while Mrs. Clinton had a 68 percent/7 percent favorable/unfavorable split.

Forty-six percent said Mrs. Clinton is the least honest, compared to 5 percent for Mr. O’Malley and 3 percent for Mr. Sanders.

Sixty percent said Mr. Sanders is the most likeable, compared to 22 percent who said Mrs. Clinton and 7 percent who said Mr. O’Malley.

And 68 percent said Mr. Sanders is the most progressive, compared to 22 percent for Mrs. Clinton.

Majorities said Mr. Sanders is the candidate who can best deal with big banks and address income inequality, and a plurality — 43 percent to 34 percent — chose him over Mrs. Clinton as being best able to handle gun policies.

Meanwhile, majorities said Mrs. Clinton can best handle the Islamic State terrorist group and has the right experience to be president.

More Democrats also say Mrs. Clinton is most likely to win the Democratic primary in the state and is the most electable next November.

Fifty-nine percent said she was most likely to win the New Hampshire Democratic primary, compared to 28 percent for Mr. Sanders. In September, they had been even at 42 percent apiece.

And 70 percent said she has the best chance of winning the general election next November, compared to 17 percent who said Mr. Sanders did. In September, 51 percent said Mrs. Clinton had the best chance and 19 percent said Mr. Sanders did.